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Related: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_system#International_co...
I think the biggest problem with single payer in the US is cultural, not even political - people simply don't trust the national government to do anything at an acceptable level (except when it comes to defense, the post office (74% approval rating), and the CDC).
The Affordable Care act made some big changes in health insurance. Unfortunately, making it "affordable" was not one of the things.
But, if you do have money, you have the option now to have absolutely great health care.
For about $1300 a month, you can cover a family of 3 in california. That amount is less if you qualify for subsidies. And that is not a budget option. This is a premium silver PPO from a large provider. All your normal medical needs are covered with copays. $40 for doctor visits. $80 for specialists and $350 for an E.R. visit. Your max out of pocket is $7500 per person or $15k total. So $30,600 a year is your absolute worst case maximum that you would have to pay if everyone in the family had serious medical issues in one year.
Now, I agree, that's expensive. But we are on a plan like this and it is very good coverage (and it's likely not much more than companies pay for their employee plans). While sometimes navigating everything has been a beurocratic nightmare, it has never denied us coverage and almost every doctor we have come across is in network. It also pays about $600 a month (after $80 in copays) for our regular, ongoing prescriptions.
It also covered the $600 a month eyedrop Rx I needed for about a year for dry eyes.
The quality of care is top notch and we have never had to choose anything less than the absolute best when it comes to treatment.
Anyway, my point is, American quality of care is some of the best in the world. If not the best... If you have money.
The HMO system is misery. PPOs are better but costly :/
HMOs are great if you're healthy and plan to remain that way for a while. I have the same deductible and co-pays as a PPO but pay about $200 less per month. The level of care is adequate for my needs, and I actually go to the doctor now because the HMO is integrated with the provider network, so I can book appointments online. Since the HMO also owns the lab and other facilities at the clinic everything that they do…
Meanwhile, here in the UK the NHS - weaponised by the left and virtually above criticism/reform as a consequence - tortures people by making them wait months/years for treatment due to rationing of care, this rationing in no small part being due to the fact that care is free at the point of delivery, which leads some people to abuse the service. Even a token £10 charge for GP visits, for example (subsidised for the g…
This is so nobody is discouraged from visiting the doctor for help.
The HMO system is misery. PPOs are better but costly :/
I think universal single payer healthcare would be wonderful, but the issue of healthcare is politicized enough as it is. With a private company I can fight. I might lose, I might have to go elsewhere, but I have a choice. With the government I have no choice, and I have no recourse. When has that ever led to better outcomes?
Every day in every other developed nation in the world
Meanwhile, here in the UK the NHS - weaponised by the left and virtually above criticism/reform as a consequence - tortures people by making them wait months/years for treatment due to rationing of care, this rationing in no small part being due to the fact that care is free at the point of delivery, which leads some people to abuse the service. Even a token £10 charge for GP visits, for example (subsidised for the g…
Meanwhile, here in the UK the NHS - weaponised by the left and virtually above criticism/reform as a consequence - tortures people by making them wait months/years for treatment due to rationing of care, this rationing in no small part being due to the fact that care is free at the point of delivery, which leads some people to abuse the service. Even a token £10 charge for GP visits, for example (subsidised for the g…
I don't know if you didn't notice, but the Conservatives have been in power since 2010, and until recently have had majorities. They could have introduced the charge you suggest, but haven't. This isn't a left/right issue. Please don't turn this into some left v right brawl.
This is more of a sidenote, but after having way, way more experience in healthcare system over the past few years, I thought I would share my experience. The Affordable Care act made some big changes in health insurance. Unfortunately, making it "affordable" was not one of the things. But, if you do have money, you have the option now to have absolutely great health care. For about $1300 a month, you can cover a fam…
Meaning half the population has to pay half their income (maximum) into this healthcare plan. And 61'000$ income isn't being dirt poor either. In some economic models this is the lower middle class in terms of income.
For people who only graduate high school and no college, this is 80% of their income. If they go to some college about 70% (14'000$ left of the income). This group makes up about 30 to 40% of the US population.
In my own country, I would pay 350€ a month for a 60'000€ yearly income. The equivalent of an ER visit copay for you and it covers all my medical needs for a month.