The health care system is fucked up because politicians are paid off and allow it to keep happening... what do you think would happen if it was completely government controlled?
Anyone that thinks the US has affordable health care is part of the problem. That statement sure helped lose the last election!! If is not affordable to the large majority of Americans.
I left active practice 4 years ago for a number or reasons:
1) The assembly line method...more patients, more $$$ generated
2) Unreasonable government regulations
3) Insurance companies dictating healthcare practices
4) Pressure from big Pharma to push several drugs, which, in many cases, has helped in the increased opioid crisis
These are just a few things I disagreed with. After I left,, I spent two years in Israel teaching and learning. Then I came home to work with under-served areas in the USA, i.e. Appalachia, Indian reservations in Northern Arizona, Boot heel of Southern Missouri. I did two stints with Doctors Without Borders in Central America. It was a great experience for me and reminded me why I chose medicine as a career in the first place. All of these positions were voluntary and paid only a small stipend.
One last thing. Someone accused doctors of getting filthy rich with our present healthcare system. I am not one of them. Yes, I made good living and invested wisely, but filthy rich...hardly.
Healthcare in the USA is way too expensive for a multitude of reasons, but in general, it is not substandard. In fact, for most, l'd say it is among the best, if not the best for quality and professionalism.
Many of the best and most talented doctors from around the world migrate to America to practice medicine here because of the increased income and the superior facilities.
Our problem here, is the outrageous expense, not quality, at least for most. But the bottom rung of the economic scale, too often, are left out of the best care because they cannot afford it.
It is the biggest rip off when people need help. we can fix you possibly but it will cost you. You don't need medicine you need a better died. Also why is there a dramatic increase in elderly bankruptcy in the last few years.
Doctors are starting to realize they can refuse all insurance and get paid directly in cash, but the corporations' fight to keep their racket will last decades.
Expensive because of all the people who don’t pay a dime.... If you don’t buy the insurance policy you want that covers the level of care you want you should not get the same level of treatment that someone who pays for the best service provides. You get what you pay for. Now I know we just can’t not treat people without coverage but why in the world should that person get the same level of treatment that a paying person does?
Expensive because of all the people who don’t pay a dime.... If you don’t buy the insurance policy you want that covers the level of care you want you should not get the same level of treatment that someone who pays for the best service provides. You get what you pay for. Now I know we just can’t not treat people without coverage but why in the world should that person get the same level of treatment that a paying person does?
It used to be more affordable. Before obamacare, people could buy a level of insurance based on their own preferences. Now, because of obamacare (which was a thinly veiled attempt to destroy the private health sector as a first step towards socialized medicine), people that used to have $250-$500 deductibles, now have $3000-20,000 deductibles! EXCEPT those on welfare have NO deductibles or copays. An OB/GYN told me that those patients often got to an ER because they think they are pregnant! Anyone else would spend their own $20 on an over the counter test.
However, it is still the best healthcare in the world. Wealthy people from countries with socialized medicine still travel here for the best care.
Pure and simple greed. The rich want more power and money. The politicians gave it to them...as always.
Practitioner of the art of the tease...
The healthcare system in the US is generally a reactive system and not a proactive system. Just a 1-2% reduction in chronic disease would save billions alone and free up healthcare dollars for just about anything including social programs to... prevent more chronic disease. This is certainly not the primary reason but it plays a large role in why we pay so much.
I doubt if the Artful Dodger or Buz have ever visited a VA facility, much less been treated at one. I can only speak for the VA medical care I have received. I have always been able to access care when I needed it and been treated with great courtesy and respect. There is never more than a 15 minute wait when you check in to see a doctor. The Navy coremen who take blood pressure, etc., are courteous and business like. Doctors have time to listen and offer alternatives. I pay a $7 co pay for a drug that costs more than $1,000 a month. I can access my medical records on line and any VA specialist I see has access to my complete records. I am very healthy. The VA has accessable mental health, weight loss and drug addiction programs. The VA didn't tell me to "Go fuck myself," I was told to come in and be healthy. The VA is one of the world's most efficient health care systems. Ninety eight percent of Vets getting VA care would not want it privitised.
