Single Payer System

[KamWhitakay]

What kind of system does France have? What is their worldwide health ranking? What kind of system does USA have? What is their worldwide health ranking?

See answers below.

Single Payer, no. 1; Privatized for-profit chaos, no. 37

Americans need to be informed about the single payer system immediately.

(too bad big business rules, thanks baby boomers, you really fucked us)

[tenantennae]

Long lines? You think that's more inconvenient than NEVER getting cared for because you can't afford it?

[digitalcurry]

In the USA -the richest country- no one should have to worry about affording health care when they need it.

Besides, universal health care is efficient, because preventing disease is cheaper than crisis care.

Job turnover is at an all-time high. All of us are just one pink slip away from being uninsured / financial catastrophe. What if you didn't have health insurance?

Illness can wipe out a family. Universal helps people care for their families. It brings security. Its a family value.

[thedakkster]

basically, profiteering should be outlawed when it comes to health care.

[tastysalad]

why?

[thedakkster]

because health care is a basic human right.

[tastysalad]

i think i should be able to keep my private insurance tho.well see which is better.

[utalice]

I hate insurance companies. I've been sick for years and I've dealth with these bastards for years now, along with the pharmaceutical companies and those in the medical field.

If we can't come up with a socialized healthcare system from our gov't, then maybe the gov't should be regulating all three entities. For instance, not paying pharmaceutical companies $250 for a bottle of pills that you can buy in Mexico for $10 that's the same damn medicine.

[j0eg0d]

America already has a mixture of private insurance and public programs.

Our free clinics receive government grants, public donations & volunteers - yet they're barely staying afloat.

Free Health Care has failed in the US because nobody can make profit from it.

[Sense008]

And there's the problem. Health care shouldn't be about profits. I agree there are plenty of problems with socialised health care (I live in a country which has it) those problems are however less significant in my opinion then the ones you get in the US system

[j0eg0d]

Our single payer system is only being considered currently, because having taxes cover the spending will increase the profits of pharmaceutical companies that price-gouge medications.

[ladyanarchy82]

for me i have almost died in the waiting room here in tx. u have to over react in order for them to even notice. i dunno why they put me in the waiting room it was an emergency. i have mid liver failure and they think im there just to get pilled up. i guess they think that because im a alcoholic. now they are starting to notice cuz FINALLY cuz my body is swollen. great video i so agree

[crazycatfguy]

You missed something important. You might have to wait for some type of test you need but under our system the doctor will never order that test because of your insurance plan.

[j0eg0d]

American doctors will refuse aid because of the lack of insurance - while Canadian insurance will refuse aid if you have the wrong doctor. It's funny how that works.

[crazycatfguy]

I worked in some of the largest clinics in Austin for 10 1/2 years. The clinics and all the doctors have to sign a form with the insurance companies swearing they will not tell you if they think you should get some type of test or treatment that the insurance will not cover. If you die oh well it's just business.

[MisterWeed]

Of course there is a little more detail to this but it works pretty well. If you are interested in it or have questions I could further illustrate it.

[j0eg0d]

I really don't know how Germany does it. You defeated the idea of "health as profit" early on somehow.

You pay as that which is proportionate to your wealth - yet it doesn't become a problem where it's benefiting the rich & fucking over the poor ?

That would NEVER happen in America.

[MisterWeed]

I think it's because of our "constitution". The very first article is "Human dignity is inviolable". Because of that and the definition of the national objective as being a social democracy. So the state in Germany has to provide social welfare for everyone who can't sustain himself(including health, retirement pay etc. and enough money to provide for all basic needs) so everyone can have a dignified life.

[MisterWeed]

The poor people can't get fucked over because they don't have to pay anything, they only get stuff ^^.

Even students like me get money which is half loan(interest-free) half state benefit so I can pay my apartment and everything. (tuition fees are not worth mentioning over here)

Also people with a small income have to pay little or no taxes&social contributions on it.

[j0eg0d]

That difference in America is that the poor cannot have access to better medicines, better doctors, better hospitals and so forth.

We have Emergency Rooms in this country that will treat a car wreck with pain killers and send you on your way because you don't have money. YET these doctors complain about malpractice suits and blame such lawsuits on the cost of their professions.

[MisterWeed]

In Germany the differences between state and private insurances are extra benefits mainly not related to the care itself. Things like a single room in hospitals and faster treatment with minor illnesses like a cold. And although "experimental" or special treatments are not excluded from the state insurance (as long as they serve healing your illness and reducing the symptoms) esoteric stuff and acupuncture will only be covered by some private insurances in most cases.

[MisterWeed]

But because it is income based, not wealth based, people who just life of their fortune don't contribute to the welfare system(they pay tax on assets though), that is something we will need to change and will but it is a really huge task to remodel the welfare system so it might take another decade.

In the end it comes down to the mentality to provide for everyone in your country vs. "Every man for himself"(if I interpret the US system correctly)

[MisterWeed]

That wasn't meant condescending in any way just to make that clear it is just how I perceive the system in the US with the knowledge I have so far.

[MisterWeed]

You get everything that is connected to your health "approved" although there is no such thing as a waiting process for approval, if you have a serious illness you get your treatment and the hospital will handle the technical stuff with the insurance.

Also the financial load of this system is shared 50/50 between employer and employee.

[MisterWeed]

I think you would want the German health care system. We get everything for "free" and there is not a long waiting time for most things. Their are private and state Health insurances but if you can't effort a private one, all your health needs will still be covert. Also if you have a chronic illness you can get most of the money you pay for your pills refunded.