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MasterEngineerSG -> RE: 5 Myths of Socialized Medicine (11/3/2008 10:19:38 AM)
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I must say I find the whole discussion on medical care in the US both interesting and shocking.
I'm originally from a European country, which has had a so called social healthcare system for ages now.
Even though it is not perfect, it takes care of everyone basic medical care needs.
Yes there are waiting lists for treatments, but the government works hard to cut those short, and to be honest, I never really had to wait horribly long for anything.
Had an X-Ray done the day I asked for it. Had a blood test done the morning after I was told by the GP to get one. And had a stumach exam done by a specialist done within a month.My grandmother had her hip replaced within 2 months time.
Why the wait? Because none of the cases I mentioned just now was an emergency.
In my old country, everyone is obligated to buy the government defined basic medical insurance. The amount to pay is based on income, low incomes are subsidised.
When I go to a GP, I never get a bill, neither do I get a bill for the bloodtest, X-Ray or internal exam. Insurance covers me. Why? Because the government determined their basic insurance plan and conditions.
2 years ago I moved to Singapore. Singapore is a 42 year old developing Asian nation that moved from a 3rd world country to a 1st world country in those 42 years. Even though not fully, they can nearly measure themselves with a western european nations in terms of development and living standards. Until fairly recently Singapore did not have a welfare system, but now the country has reached a high level of development, it can be seen that the government is putting that into place.
When I moved here, first thing I did is buy a health insurance. I don't want to walk on the street, get hit by a car, and having to suddenly cough up 10000 dollars in surgery cost. When talking to a insurrance advisor, I got informed that most Singaporean do not wish to buy medical insurrance since they distrust insurrance companies, and see no point in paying money for something you don't use. Its better to save that money. The harsh every day thruth is though, that those same people go around asking all their friends for money when something serious happens because their savings can't help them.
In reaction to this behaviour the Singaporean government obligates every citizen to save a percentage of their salary to pay medical costs. Even though that hardly is sufficient, it is better then nothing when faced with sudden high expenses. Next to that, cheap GP clinics and hospitals are located all over the country. (Not perfect, but at least better then nothing) If I were to fall off my desk chair right now, break my arm, I can have the GP in his 24 hours clinic on my street corner look at it for just a few bucks of consultation fee. (Which I can claim from my insurrance or employer who also offers good medical benefits)
Why am I telling all this? Simple, in a way I find it absolutely shocking, that the US, the most wealthy nation in the world, is worse off then a European Nation and even some developing Asian nations when it comes to medical care. I don't blame the older Singaporeans for distrusting insurrance agents, they grew up in a time where the country was a 3rd world nation (the youngsters do understand the importance of proper insurance and health care). But Americans really should know better.
In my opinion the Americans grew up to much with the mindset that everything should be liberal and free, and government control is a communist thing. You are also scared to much by insurrance company propaganda that claims that in a social welfare system, you end up paying for others (which is bad because you work hard for your money), and that when you need medical care, you may not get it! (Due to waiting lists).
Yes you may need to wait a bit longer for treatment, (Stil you get priority in a emergency) but at least you can get it, unlike now, you can only get it when you got the money.
Plus, the system you pay money for, also provides for you when you need it, hence the name social welfare.
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