In praise of socialised medicine

Political contributions ultimately determine what path is taken concerning just about everything in the U.S. You get what you elect and money puts a finger on the scale. So... could those from outside the U.S. expound on money and politics in their country? Are political donations even allowed? Inquiring minds want to know.
 

Warrigal said:
I am fortunate enough to be able to afford private health insurance - top hospital cover plus extras - so all of my stays in private hospitals having joint replacements and cataract operations have cost me nothing. My stays in rehab were also covered. I've been in a private health fund all of my life (thanks, Mum). The last thing I intend to economise on is my private health cover.

However, I think it a good thing that we have Medicare as a universal health care system because it means that the overall health of all Australians is taken care of. We are all better off when that is the situation. No-one has to sell the house to pay the hospital bill.
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It has been quite few years but back in the day, long before coming here, I posted to a UseNet retirement group and we had a new guy from Australia. He absolutely hated Australian socialized medicine for the simple reason that he had the money to supplement his care, but the system wouldn’t let him do it. Sounds like the situation has changed. (-8
 
We, in the US, pay twice as much for health care, than most other nations. The last time the WHO ranked the nations, the US came in about number 35 in terms of value of our system, compared to other nations....most of which have some form of Universal Care. The US and New Zealand are the only nations which allow all these "Ask your Doctor" TV commercials....which cost billions per year...and is added to the costs of our prescription drugs.
Our "Health Care" industry is one of the most generous donors to our political campaigns, which insures that our government will do little to revamp this bloated system.
There are some good trustworthy web sites which track the money flowing to our politicians, and greedy doctors. Time spent reviewing these sites is time Well Spent.

https://www.opensecrets.org/
https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
https://www.propublica.org/
 

Don M. said:
We, in the US, pay twice as much for health care, than most other nations. The last time the WHO ranked the nations, the US came in about number 35 in terms of value of our system, compared to other nations....most of which have some form of Universal Care. The US and New Zealand are the only nations which allow all these "Ask your Doctor" TV commercials....which cost billions per year...and is added to the costs of our prescription drugs.
Our "Health Care" industry is one of the most generous donors to our political campaigns, which insures that our government will do little to revamp this bloated system.
There are some good trustworthy web sites which track the money flowing to our politicians, and greedy doctors. Time spent reviewing these sites is time Well Spent.

https://www.opensecrets.org/
https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
https://www.propublica.org/
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Someday maybe the US will ban lobbyists!
 
ElCastor said:
It has been quite few years but back in the day, long before coming here, I posted to a UseNet retirement group and we had a new guy from Australia. He absolutely hated Australian socialized medicine for the simple reason that he had the money to supplement his care, but the system wouldn’t let him do it. Sounds like the situation has changed. (-8
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I have absolutely no idea what he might have been referring to. Good health care, like good roads and good schools, is a public good that should be available to everyone, whether or not they have money in the bank.
 
hollydolly said:
oh yes I knew you weren't attacking the USA..or it's people.. and yes for some very odd reason those who don't have socialised care are very afraid in many cases of it here also. Granted the NHS is in a bit of trouble at the moment, it's highly frustating for us, long waits for operations etc... but long before this happened I saw countless reports on American TV spouting one lie after the other about socialised care... and maybe that's what's frightened people
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I have spent 2 winters in Texas. Each morning I would go to the gym for a work out. First thing I did was shut off the TV. Couldn't stand the advertising about seeing your doctor to buy all those drugs or hiring all those lawyers because "you have been hurt."

First American that came put went straight to the TV and they always, I repeat like robots, they always put on FOX TV. I couldn't understand that. Was FOX the only station in the US? In Canada, we have dozens and dozens. It seemed they were all programed to stare at FOX like it was "Mother's Milk." To this day, I still cannot figure out why they did this.

It sure made me want to finish my workout and get some fresh air.
 
Warrigal said:
I have absolutely no idea what he might have been referring to. Good health care, like good roads and good schools, is a public good that should be available to everyone, whether or not they have money in the bank.
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He didn’t post with us for long, but I got the feeling that his negative feelings were personal. We saw posts from other countries and right or wrong the one that seemed most impressive (at least to me) was France. Something I took from those debates was the value of the Brits attitude towards lawyers — Loser Pays. Wish we would adopt it!
 
Chet said:
Political contributions ultimately determine what path is taken concerning just about everything in the U.S. You get what you elect and money puts a finger on the scale. So... could those from outside the U.S. expound on money and politics in their country? Are political donations even allowed? Inquiring minds want to know.
Click to expand...
Political donations are allowed in Australia but there is an upper limit, and all donations over a certain amount must be declared. However, true to human nature workarounds abound, such as donating to a foundation or think tank that then donates to a third party so that the identity of the actual donor is concealed.
 
hollydolly said:
The Uk has that same precise view of the USA..as do many other European countries. Not trying to knock anyone in the US at all.. but the system needs a huge overhaul..
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We aren't all that stupid and ignorant. Don't worry. I've talked to a couple of Canadians through my job. None of them want to get rid of their healthcare. I'm also taking advantage of Obama Care. I do pay.
 
Socialized medicine isn't always good. Had a friend in Vancouver...long story, but because of the excessive wait times and specialist referral waits she almost died. Someone from Canada told me it depended on what province or area you were in.

Every place seems to have its drawbacks. Personally we are so happy to see specialists when we need to. The primary doc is just a "pass through" in most cases I think.
 

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