Health Care Spending

The conservative, right-wing, evangelical, Republucan position that demeans social health care programs in places like the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden and Norway is misrepresenting the issue. Americans in the United States pay more than twice as much for the same health care as most Eurpoeans do. Our government actually spends more on us individually, collectively and as a percentage of GDP while paying about half as much of our bill and leaving us to face financial ruin paying medical bills.

Maybe my regular viewers will have some idea why we pay so much more to our government and then pay so much more to the medical industry and then get so much less. Our productive non-debilitated lifespans are shorter than other developed nations, our debilitated, end-of-life period is longer and we suffer more throughout our lives both in higher costs and lower health.

Could it be that our government is acting in the best interests of the already wealthy medical professionals, pharmaceutical, surgical and medical supply companies, hospitals and health care businesses and the insurance industry at the expense of the average citizens?

A free market might be better than European-style socialized medicine, but we will never know because we don't have a free market. Our facism-light government regulated, taxed and subsidized marketplace is all about the top 1-5% at the expense of the middle class ... IMO.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• health
• care
• spending

[bonfirejovi]

Do you even know what a free market is?

[zthustra]

@bonfirejovi

Sure, a free market for health care is one in which those who can afford it are free to obtain it and those who cannot are free to live in discomfort or die. Somewhere in between are those people who are free to be financial slaves in exchange for healthcare.

[arrrteaawstin]

From the BBC article -- Unhealthy living 'almost universal' in Scotland

"The Scottish results are similar to those in a recent survey of English behaviour, and suggest both nations are more unhealthy than many European countries, and even North America."

OUCH!

[zthustra]

@arrrteaawstin

"... even North America."

That totally SUCKS! I'm sorry for them.

[mambuduomally]

i agree with that, the point i was making is there should and must be public services like this available.

in the UK we have the NHS, a fantastic system, but with a few flaws such as waiting times for non essential surgery. these waiting times are not generally wrong and only in cases where the patient is in no pain. if you are not happy with that then private healthcare is available and the only difference is the hospital you go to is more of a hotel and you're seen straight away regardless

[zthustra]

Personally, I think there must be private, for-profit opportunities in educationa nd healthcare and the like IN ADDIOTION TO the social program offered by the government. Government is for ALL people, not just the socially evolved one that want to work together for a better collective living experience. Opting out, inovating, competing, etc need to be option.

eg. I think that the government should issue public money, but private money backed by gold and silver should be allowed to compete.

[mambuduomally]

the pathetic thing is EVERY country in the world spends less on healthcare, and every 1st world country has a better system.

until americans (and i don't mean to generalise here) get the idea of capitalism at all cost out their mentality then you will never progress as a society.

there are several amenities that should never be run for profit... schools, infrastucture (i.e roads, street upkeep etc) and HEALTHCARE!

you have obama, what you really need is an FDR/truman type

[AppleSouffle]

Thank you Mambuduomally!

It's refreshing to finally read an intelligent post about health care! I just finished reading The Swedish Secret, which compares America and Sweden.

They have total health care FOR LESS MONEY than what America spends. It was around - Sweden spends $2,200 per person each year, but America spends around $4,700 a year!

You're right, so many Americans are so selfish. They don't want to help anyone.

But there are good people here. We elected Barack!

[mambuduomally]

i really look on in disgust/disbelief watch this whole thing. you's are the richest country in the world, you so many don't want you to take care of your citizens.

i hope you get a public option, i hope in the near future you go one better and join the rest of the civilized world and have universal healthcare.

[AppleSouffle]

You made some excellent points, Mambuduomally!

I'm in Minneapolis. The only health and dental care I can get is a local clinic. The man who helped me with the paperwork indirectly said I pretty much have to lie to qualify for the state program. (Can have more than $1,000 in the bank.)

I've heard people on BBC Radio whinging (a word I learned from listening to The BBC) about their NHS.

Despite a few snags, The NHS is paradise compared to the meager offerings for low income Americans.