Opinions on Health Care in France

[bpenn9]

So I have obviously been upset and voicing my frustration on face book over this stupid bill. I really believe the government should not be able to give us a mandate on what we have to buy.
Secondly, this bill will do nothing but increase insurance premiums and increase our national dept. Then my cousin rights me this... I didn't know much about this bill, but after all the crazy fear I have read and heard from people I thought I would do my research. Did you know that countries with public health care like England, Canada, France and the Netherlands spend significantly less of their GDP on health care than we do, and at least in France and the Netherlands without... See More any falloff in the quality of care? Check this out if you are curious about how it works in other countries (especially the last page) Sorry that it is from such a liberal state (Mass). He posted a link from the Boston Globe about health care in France, England and so forth...I can't post it, not enough posts..
I haven't made my mind up on this bill because I am still looking into what it means (the truth is always somewhere in between the radical left and right).

How do you respond to people that think health care in other countries is so great? Please be tactful in your responses, he is my cousin and was my Best Man.

 

[scagnt83]

I usually just simply ask people if they had to have brain surgery; would they rather have brain surgery in France? Or at John Hopkins in Baltimore...or some other comparable hospital in the US?

I have never had someone say France.

Also, ask why the rich and powerful of the European countries routinely come to the US for major medical procedures. This is a proven fact.

I have experienced the healthcare in socialist health care countries. If your sick and have a cold its great. If you need a major medical procedure like major surgery, it can get sketchy.

Germany and Switzerland probably have the best hospitals in Europe.... but they are private hospitals!!!!

 

[bpenn9]

Thank you!

 

[Winter_123]

So I have obviously been upset and voicing my frustration on face book over this stupid bill. I really believe the government should not be able to give us a mandate on what we have to buy.
Secondly, this bill will do nothing but increase insurance premiums and increase our national dept. Then my cousin rights me this... I didn't know much about this bill, but after all the crazy fear I have read and heard from people I thought I would do my research. Did you know that countries with public health care like England, Canada, France and the Netherlands spend significantly less of their GDP on health care than we do, and at least in France and the Netherlands without... See More any falloff in the quality of care? Check this out if you are curious about how it works in other countries (especially the last page) Sorry that it is from such a liberal state (Mass). He posted a link from the Boston Globe about health care in France, England and so forth...I can't post it, not enough posts..
I haven't made my mind up on this bill because I am still looking into what it means (the truth is always somewhere in between the radical left and right).

How do you respond to people that think health care in other countries is so great? Please be tactful in your responses, he is my cousin and was my Best Man.

Well of course it is not just the question of expenditure but outcomes as well. In many isntances, some of these countries are having better outcomes with few dollars than Americans. are. We need to learn from them in those areas especially when we get past the politics and are concerned about cost reduction and health care. Something that eludes both the Dems and the Republicans right now. My American ego is not going to shatter by taking in new information from other countries. Most of them tend to do well for the masses but deny high levels of treatment to those who need higher levels of treatment. They need to learn from us there.

Take Canada for example. They have started selling critical illness/supplemental insurance to those who want something mroe than what is available to the masses. Up until a few years ago they could not do that but a High Court ruling allowed it. I think that is a good thing. Similarly I think we need to go in the other direction and figure out how to do more basic medical care for the masses without losing access to the more specialized care which is our strong point. Yes, the united states is still the place to go for that high-end operation if you can afford it and have insurance but that is only one measure of a health care system. An important one but just one as is basic care and access for the masses.

I think people need to loosen their grip a little bit and see what works in the cost containment area and access area and that can include looking at other countries. Regular viewers know that I am totally opposed to socialist ideology as a driver but on the other hand I dont think every concept or review of other approaches is a direct threat to America. Being rigid and stupid and not coming up with new solutions is a threat though.

Also, I would have to look at the data and drill down a bit. In many instances, the expenditure difference between the U.S and some of these other countries is explained by the dollars we pump into end of life care in this country. Not saying that is right or wrong. Just saying you have to see what is going on. Similarly, some of these countries hold their costs down by not providing treatment in certain areas. Maybe they need to be spending more. Don't assume that we are automatically out of whack. Have to look at the data and see what is going on. The level of pharmaceutical use is another factor too.