Swedish election results are in

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Half-measures sometimes really doesn't cut it. Look at USA health-system for an example of that.

You mean our mix of government-mandated, fee-for-service, and taxpayer-provided is somehow lacking?

Oh, the shock......

[Beskar]

You mean our mix of government-mandated, fee-for-service, and taxpayer-provided is somehow lacking?

Oh, the shock......

I can accept some fee-paying, like $20 for a GP appointment, but government-mandated and taxpayer-provided goes out of the window when you are actually seriously ill, then get loaded with a $150,000 bill for Chemotherapy.

Seen too many fundraising for loved ones for people in America, and it is rather heartbreaking to hear about them, stories such as people staying outside the hospital in a tent, to reduce costs and how charity-aid clinics are overcrowded with Americans who haven't been treated for years with ailments because of the costs. Other times, people opting to die due to preventable illnesses because of the costs.

Sure, I have heard the apologists too "lol, rich people from your country come to America, we have the best healthcare", they fail to miss the point that it has the best healthcare if you can actually afford it, you know, the 1% and not the 99% of the rest.

Sorry about the tangent, just wanted to rant a little about it. I find it bothersome how they are not protected the same way I am, and it feels more like ignorance which is preventing it.

[Kadagar_AV]

In Austria you would only have to pay about 2 USD a day for the food you eat while at the hospital... I know, my dad had chemo there. Medicine is sponsored by the state, so you pay about 1/10 of the actual price.

In Sweden you would pay around 14 USD for the initial visit to the doctor... Medicine is very sponsored by the state, and after you paid around 200 USD, you get everything for free (yearly basis).

I am so damn glad I'm not USAnian.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

I can accept some fee-paying, like $20 for a GP appointment, but government-mandated and taxpayer-provided goes out of the window when you are actually seriously ill, then get loaded with a $150,000 bill for Chemotherapy.

Seen too many fundraising for loved ones for people in America, and it is rather heartbreaking to hear about them, stories such as people staying outside the hospital in a tent, to reduce costs and how charity-aid clinics are overcrowded with Americans who haven't been treated for years with ailments because of the costs. Other times, people opting to die due to preventable illnesses because of the costs.

Sure, I have heard the apologists too "lol, rich people from your country come to America, we have the best healthcare", they fail to miss the point that it has the best healthcare if you can actually afford it, you know, the 1% and not the 99% of the rest.

I just think that we are at a crossroads. Unfortunately, rather than picking a road to follow, we are standing in the middle trying to find a way to head across the hedges between the two roads. I fear we will still be standing there when a semi arrives from behind unannounced.

Road One: Fee-for-service/private insurance with little or no govt. mandates. Care for privileged = fantastic; care for most = good to very good; lowest 10-20% care = usually none, good or better when charity efforts allow.

Road Two: government-managed free at point of service. Care for privileged = fantastic, though often at higher cost than before since they are using private care instead of the public care that is already paid for via tax; care for most = good, though increased wait times and experimental/cutting edge treatments largely unavailable ; lowest 10-20% care = the same as for 'care for most.'

Currently, we are splitting the difference with a somewhat publicly funded safety net service for segments of our society; private insurance that must conform to government mandates and cannot be crafted to individual needs; fee-for-service charges over and above the portion covered by insurance; loads of forms, regulations, and duplicated records etc.

There are advantages to either road....so of course the USA is ignoring both and going cross-country in a Ford Fusion.