What is your opinion of the health care system in your country?

1. 64

   leroy64posted 12 years ago

   What is your opinion of the health care system in your country?
   
   Would it be possible for someone living in Great Britain, or Canada, to state an opinion of the health care system?  It's election time and the issue keeps popping up here in the States.  I am doing my own research; but, I thought I would reach out.

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2. 72

   Ebey Somanposted 12 years ago

   I have been to India, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and a few other places. From what I have personally seen, Healthcare is much better in USA. The only problem I can see is associated with the costs - both to the patient and the costs subsidized by the government (and insurance companies).
   
   There are a few things that can be done to control costs. Start with the drug patent laws, limits of how often certain tests can be done and lmiiting doctors to doing ONLY necessary tests on patients. Any changes to control costs will inevitable be hard to implement but some austerity measures must be taken. Also insurance plans (and programs like Mediaid or Medicare) must not pay for over the counter products (OTCs), cosmetic procedures (like breast implants) and controversial procedures which may or may not have a health benefit (like abortions and sex change operations). We also need to change some FDA patent laws so more brands can become generics while still helping companies get reimbursed for the money they invest into new drug development and research.  All these measures will have its own opponents and proponents but some things must be done regardless of political backlash to control costs. 
   
   Overall, US healthcare system is the best with regards to procedures available, higher technology, less wait time, more specialists, and more options for patients. However the biggest drawback is affordability (costs) and long term sustainability (how long can we keep paying these costs before country goes bankrupt).

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3. 60

   nightwork4posted 12 years ago

   the health care in Canada should be awesome but so many people abuse it that the hospitals spend way too much time dealing with folks that seem to go there just for attention. i've seen people with small cuts or a cough expecting a doctor to fix them up. other then that, i love knowing that if my kids get sick, i don't have to refinance my home to help them get better. i still find it hard to believe that the US doesn't have free health care. it blows my mind. honestly.

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4. 0

   jamesmdougherty2posted 12 years ago

   I'm from the United States but I lived under the German health care system for a number of years and socialized medicine works well when unemployment is low.  However, when unemployment is high it's a horse of a different colour.

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