healthcare in the US

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I'd like to see a simpler healthcare system that covers everyone while being more efficient and giving more freedom. Here's my idea for how that could work:
Eliminate the age requirement for Medicare Part A, and give every citizen and health savings account, with a deposit being made into it each year, rather like a tax credit--a few hundred dollars into every citizen's account which can be spent on any healthcare related expense. Then repeal every existing program (especially Congress members' health plan) except Medicare, and medicaid for disabled people etc. States would have the option of putting more money into the accounts of low income people that need it. Also allow people to buy drugs from other countries, and get rid of any unnecessary regulations so doctors and patients have more options.
The current system in the US is terribly inefficient; we spend twice what most countries do, and get average results. US government spending is higher than most countries with single payers systems on healthcare. So a move to a more universal system, especially one like I suggest, is actually a move to less government, and will pay for itself in the long run.
 

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I'd like to see a simpler healthcare system that covers everyone while being more efficient and giving more freedom. Here's my idea for how that could work:
Eliminate the age requirement for Medicare Part A, and give every citizen and health savings account, with a deposit being made into it each year, rather like a tax credit--a few hundred dollars into every citizen's account which can be spent on any healthcare related expense. Then repeal every existing program (especially Congress members' health plan) except Medicare, and medicaid for disabled people etc. States would have the option of putting more money into the accounts of low income people that need it. Also allow people to buy drugs from other countries, and get rid of any unnecessary regulations so doctors and patients have more options.
The current system in the US is terribly inefficient; we spend twice what most countries do, and get average results. US government spending is higher than most countries with single payers systems on healthcare. So a move to a more universal system, especially one like I suggest, is actually a move to less government, and will pay for itself in the long run.
With a few hundred dollars, if you get cancer (like 1 out of 3 people get during their lives), you'll be able to afford a clap on the back and a discount coffin. Maybe some aspirin.
 
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FenderTL5

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With a few hundred dollars, if you get cancer (like 1 out of 3 people get during their lives), you'll be able to afford a clap on the back and a discount coffin. Maybe some aspirin.
That's what most of us have now. Dating back into the 80s, having health insurance or receiving healthcare is only for the wealthy without the subsequent bankruptcy.
 
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High Fidelity

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I admire Obama for trying to fix a broken system, but they really tried to reinvent the wheel.

I am sure a handful of countries would gladly have assisted the U.S. government over the space of several years to formulate a similar and successful system that, for example, exists in large parts of Europe.

There was a time where I wished to move to the U.S. but two things stopped me; the politics and the 'privilege' of healthcare. Healthcare is a basic human right.
 
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blackribbon

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I admire Obama for trying to fix a broken system, but they really tried to reinvent the wheel.

I am sure a handful of countries would gladly have assisted the U.S. government over the space of several years to formulate a similar and successful system that, for example, exists in large parts of Europe.

There was a time where I wished to move to the U.S. but two things stopped me; the politics and the 'privilege' of healthcare. Healthcare is a basic human right.

The UK has the option of government care or private. And based on what I have seen from British and Canadians who post on one of the medical forums I use, the "free" care is significantly substandard to what I expect as basic care and the time it takes to get care is a lot longer.

In a government financed system. care is rationed.
 
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cow451

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I'd like to see a simpler healthcare system that covers everyone while being more efficient and giving more freedom. Here's my idea for how that could work:
Eliminate the age requirement for Medicare Part A, and give every citizen and health savings account, with a deposit being made into it each year, rather like a tax credit--a few hundred dollars into every citizen's account which can be spent on any healthcare related expense. Then repeal every existing program (especially Congress members' health plan) except Medicare, and medicaid for disabled people etc. States would have the option of putting more money into the accounts of low income people that need it. Also allow people to buy drugs from other countries, and get rid of any unnecessary regulations so doctors and patients have more options.
The current system in the US is terribly inefficient; we spend twice what most countries do, and get average results. US government spending is higher than most countries with single payers systems on healthcare. So a move to a more universal system, especially one like I suggest, is actually a move to less government, and will pay for itself in the long run.
Realistically reinventing the wheel is unlikely. There does need to be a commitment to universal coverage using existing systems and adding a public option or some way of addressing the needs of the working poor as well as the self employed and entrepreneurs. I will say, in advance, that any poster claiming I am proposing single payer is in need of remedial reading tutoring.
 
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blackribbon

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I would think that rewarding people that live healthy lifestyles would be a first step. I am not saying that even a majority of the patients in the hospital have caused their conditions but there are enough who have lifestyles that contribute to how often or how long they need more advanced care.
 
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blackribbon

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That's what most of us have now. Dating back into the 80s, having health insurance or receiving healthcare is only for the wealthy without the subsequent bankruptcy.

Not really. Before Obamacare, there were affordable options like catastrophic plans which covered diagnoses like cancer. It is about priorities. People don't ask for free housing...or free cars...or free phones, tvs, cable service...and yet most people have all the above. The difference is that can't touch the product until you actually need it so it is easy to not buy for yourself and then complain because you don't have it. I have had insurance for my entire life except my last year of nursing school because I couldn't afford Obamacare coverage...(my plan had been to get catastrophic coverage for that year and pay for normal care out of my pocket). Most people actually get their insurance through their jobs and their employer pays for part of the coverage.
 
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hedrick

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Most Democratic leaders today would prefer single payer systems. I believe that was true for Obama as well. Obamacare was an attempted compromise, to get Republican support.

The demographics make it clear that in the end Democrats are going to end up in control. Probably not for a decade, but by then it's pretty certain. If Republicans wanted as much of a free market system as possible, making improvements to Obamacare now was their best hope. By effectively removing it, I believe they've made sure that once Democrats have enough control to do so, we'll end up with a system that is at least largely single-payer, though probably with some hybrid features.

The existing single-payer systems have longer delays than our system because they're not willing to spend as much money as we do. The results suggest that they get reasonable results, but anything that can be postponed will be. If we're willing to spend some amount more than those systems and but less than our current one, we should be able to get something with less waiting.
 
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expos4ever

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The UK has the option of government care or private. And based on what I have seen from British and Canadians who post on one of the medical forums I use, the "free" care is significantly substandard to what I expect as basic care and the time it takes to get care is a lot longer.

In a government financed system. care is rationed.
Here in Canada, one can indeed wait quite a while to see a specialist. But it also needs to be said that we live as long (a little longer actually) than Americans even though our lifestyles are very similar (except, perhaps, we don't play with guns as much). The point being that it is not at all clear that such delays actually have a significant impact on outcomes. I believe the overwhelming majority of Canadians are happy with our system, despite its imperfections.
 
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High Fidelity

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Here in Canada, one can indeed wait quite a while to see a specialist. But it also needs to be said that we live as long (a little longer actually) than Americans even though our lifestyles are very similar (except, perhaps, we don't play with guns as much). The point being that it is not at all clear that such delays actually have a significant impact on outcomes. I believe the overwhelming majority of Canadians are happy with our system, despite its imperfections.

Exactly.

I'd rather wait than be one of many people that loses their life's work and savings because they were unfortunate enough to get cancer.

A friend of mine in the U.S. got cancer and may lose all their retirement savings. Like what?!
 
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blackribbon

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Exactly.

I'd rather wait than be one of many people that loses their life's work and savings because they were unfortunate enough to get cancer.

A friend of mine in the U.S. got cancer and may lose all their retirement savings. Like what?!

Cancer isn't exactly a diagnosis that you can wait 6 months for each diagnostic scan. Care may be free but does it matter after you are dead? I knew a woman who had the same cancer diagnosis as my husband with a very aggressive form of this cancer. Within one month, my husband had been fit in for 3 surgeries and was starting his chemo treatment. She was scheduled for a PET scan 6 months later (this is only a diagnostic scan). If (and I mean if) she was still alive at that point, she would no longer be a candidate for any form of treatment. (PS There are cancer hospitals in the US that charge based on ability to pay, as well.)

This young 18 year old died waiting for a hospital room...she was already approved for the treatment. The hospital could only afford to treat 5 people a month and she was something like 20th in line for that room. Ontario teen who died waiting for stem cell transplant begged government to cut wait list In my 1070 bed hospital (US), we convert rooms to accommodate patients if we have to. We also have the option to transport patients to other area hospitals in our system so that we can focus more beds and manpower to the care we specialize in.

Waiting for diabetes treatment can result in amputated limbs and loss of vision, Waiting for hypertension treatment can result in strokes. Waiting for chest pain work ups can result in ... well, death. Lots of medical conditions can't wait.
 
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Allandavid

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The UK has the option of government care or private. And based on what I have seen from British and Canadians who post on one of the medical forums I use, the "free" care is significantly substandard to what I expect as basic care and the time it takes to get care is a lot longer.

In a government financed system. care is rationed.

Respectfully, until you have lived and experienced such a system, you really don’t know what you are talking about...

I live in Australia, which has health care system similar to Britain and much of Europe. In terms of life expectancy, survival rates for cancers, heart disease, stroke, etc, we produce outcomes equal to, or better than, those found in your country...
 
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blackribbon

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Respectfully, until you have lived and experienced such a system, you really don’t know what you are talking about...

I live in Australia, which has health care system similar to Britain and much of Europe. In terms of life expectancy, survival rates for cancers, heart disease, stroke, etc, we produce outcomes equal to, or better than, those found in your country...

I will admit, I only know the frustrations of the people with the same health condition who tell me that can't get the same basic care that I take for granted.

All I know is the number of foreign visitors that come to the US for treatments. I once sat in traffic forever waiting for the prince of some country's cavalcade. When I see people from the US going out of the US, it is to save money (not get better care) or to get treatments that are not legal here. What we are lacking is people willing to do well care and keep themselves healthy.
 
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Larniavc

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I'd like to see a simpler healthcare system that covers everyone while being more efficient and giving more freedom. Here's my idea for how that could work:
Eliminate the age requirement for Medicare Part A, and give every citizen and health savings account, with a deposit being made into it each year, rather like a tax credit--a few hundred dollars into every citizen's account which can be spent on any healthcare related expense. Then repeal every existing program (especially Congress members' health plan) except Medicare, and medicaid for disabled people etc. States would have the option of putting more money into the accounts of low income people that need it. Also allow people to buy drugs from other countries, and get rid of any unnecessary regulations so doctors and patients have more options.
The current system in the US is terribly inefficient; we spend twice what most countries do, and get average results. US government spending is higher than most countries with single payers systems on healthcare. So a move to a more universal system, especially one like I suggest, is actually a move to less government, and will pay for itself in the long run.
That seems a bit complicated.

Why not have a single payer system, paid for by a progress tax system where ther government is the sole buyer and can thus stop price gouging?

Take the profit out of health care: that’s the problem.
 
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Larniavc

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I admire Obama for trying to fix a broken system, but they really tried to reinvent the wheel.

I am sure a handful of countries would gladly have assisted the U.S. government over the space of several years to formulate a similar and successful system that, for example, exists in large parts of Europe.

There was a time where I wished to move to the U.S. but two things stopped me; the politics and the 'privilege' of healthcare. Healthcare is a basic human right.
Not so in America: the right to own a gun is far more highly valued, it seems.
 
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Larniavc

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I will admit, I only know the frustrations of the people with the same health condition who tell me that can't get the same basic care that I take for granted.

All I know is the number of foreign visitors that come to the US for treatments. I once sat in traffic forever waiting for the prince of some country's cavalcade. When I see people from the US going out of the US, it is to save money (not get better care) or to get treatments that are not legal here. What we are lacking is people willing to do well care and keep themselves healthy.
I think the important point is that you may wait a bit in non American countries but you can get ANY type of treatment (acute or chronic) regardless of how rich you are.

No one goes bankrupt for being in traction for six months.
 
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Sketcher

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With a few hundred dollars, if you get cancer (like 1 out of 3 people get during their lives), you'll be able to afford a clap on the back and a discount coffin. Maybe some aspirin.
Interesting that you mention cancer, because the US is better at treating cancer than most other nations. I don't want any reforms we make to make us worse at anything.
 
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Nithavela

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Interesting that you mention cancer, because the US is better at treating cancer than most other nations. I don't want any reforms we make to make us worse at anything.
Even if most people can't afford this awesome treatment?
 
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