Healthcare Around the World...Which Model is Best?

[The Left-Libertarian Hippies]

Since we have a large number of non-U.S. users on here, I would like to ask....What nation do you think has the best healthcare system and why? Also, what type of healthcare model do you think would be best for the United States to adopt?

[Puissancevise]

France. It is by far the most efficient and humanitarian.

[The Left-Libertarian Hippies]

I like the German system, but don't like that rich people can opt out. I wonder if the "sickness funds" model could work in the United States?

[Wamitoria]

Finnish model.

[The Elected Dictatorship of Spadgecock]

My healthcare isn't the best, but it has looked after me every time I've needed it. The scary thing is, it is heading towards the yankee model, full on privatisation. The UK Conservative/liberal Democrat coalition Gov. are raping the NHS. They have ConDem'd the NHS to an early grave...

I would disagree with an opt out claus, being an eglatarian type of fellow I would prefer just one healthcare system offering the best care available to all, not just an elite few.

[Greed and Death]

German model, govnerment ran with an opt out provision.
I think allowing everyone to opt out not just those making over 50k would be preferred.

[The Pretend Pub]

The best model is the communal model.

[Raeyh]

Anything that doesn't involve half my paycheck going to insurance.

[Wirbel]

Private only.

[Osterveim]

America.

[Darling Violetta]

European, and France is probably the best overall.

[Darling Violetta]

America.

I seriously hope your joking.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Since we have a large number of non-U.S. users on here, I would like to ask....What nation do you think has the best healthcare system and why? Also, what type of healthcare model do you think would be best for the United States to adopt?

NHS. I come from a country that has an NHS. Far from perfect, but it beats being completely uncovered, as I currently am, living in the US.

I think the US would benefit from a nationalized healthcare system. What I don't really know is if it can be done with the economy as it is in its current stage.

[Lord Tothe]

pure market-based exchange, with opportunities to form voluntary mutual aid societies, join insurance companies, and other ideas that have been squelched by government monopolies and corporatism.

[The Nuclear Fist]

Southern central Africa. Local witch doctors and voodoo seems like the best system for the US.

[New Rogernomics]

Clearly the healthcare system downunder is far superior, with Kiwiland coming in a close second to Aussieland.

We win! /End thread.

*sigh* I wish we could win at something. I tried.

[Socialdemokraterne]

As someone above already pointed out, Finland has a fantastic model. Though it could stand some improvements regarding speed of service, the quality is great. In emergencies you've got nothing to worry about and they'll see you right away, but for non-emergency problems you'll have to wait a bit (about a week or so) to be seen. Even still, quality medical care accessible to anyone regardless of their socioeconomic status, and private clinics for those who want to go to them? Seems to me an ideal situation.

[Socialdemokraterne]

I think the US would benefit from a nationalized healthcare system. What I don't really know is if it can be done with the economy as it is in its current stage.

It could happen, but the US would have to shift its budgetary priorities and reconstruct its tax system to accommodate the expenses. Considering that the current Congress can neither handle one piece of tax legislation's expiration nor come to a conclusion on what the budget should look like without erupting into a fistfight for a couple of months, I would argue that the problem is less the economy and more the legislators.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I think the US would benefit from a nationalized healthcare system. What I don't really know is if it can be done with the economy as it is in its current stage.

It could happen, but the US would have to shift its budgetary priorities and reconstruct its tax system to accommodate the expenses. Considering that the current Congress can neither handle one piece of tax legislation's expiration nor come to a conclusion on what the budget should look like without erupting into a fistfight for a couple of months, I would argue that the problem is less the economy and more the legislators.

You probably have something going on there. It may well be a combination of both, now that I ponder this: economy and the Congress's inability to to handle important matters.

[New Rogernomics]

It could happen, but the US would have to shift its budgetary priorities and reconstruct its tax system to accommodate the expenses. Considering that the current Congress can neither handle one piece of tax legislation's expiration nor come to a conclusion on what the budget should look like without erupting into a fistfight for a couple of months, I would argue that the problem is less the economy and more the legislators.

You probably have something going on there. It may well be a combination of both, now that I ponder this: economy and the Congress's inability to to handle important matters.

You have a Congress? I thought it was just ten year old kids, having tantrums over the price of oil. Or at least that's the impression I get from American media. Now, if you could replace those kids with chimpanzees, health-care reform and balancing the budget would be entirely possible. *thinks*

[Revolutopia]

German model, govnerment ran with an opt out provision.
I think allowing everyone to opt out not just those making over 50k would be preferred.

I agree the German model seems the best as it allows the most freedom.

[Socialdemokraterne]

You probably have something going on there. It may well be a combination of both, now that I ponder this: economy and the Congress's inability to to handle important matters.

Ah, but it gets even better! The citizens themselves present a barrier to the implementation of an NHS as well! Unlike some of my more cynical peers, I suspect the issue is much more a lack of exposure/interest than a lack of intelligence. If someone argues that what Denmark has going on is a manifestation of Socialism, I suspect they're either being sarcastic or just genuinely don't know what Socialism is. For those who oppose an NHS but have plenty of exposure to speak of, it may simply be a difference of priorities. Some people just aren't interested in establishing an NHS, and would rather prioritize something else. Then you have to throw in this chronic fear of government power and assumptions that governments are unbearably inefficient at everything they ever do, and this diminishes interest even in people who would consider the option.

[Arkenstone]

We have wait-time problems here in Canada? Source please, personally I never did...

But France is by far the best, we need to take their example.

[Raeyh]

You probably have something going on there. It may well be a combination of both, now that I ponder this: economy and the Congress's inability to to handle important matters.

You have a Congress? I thought it was just ten year old kids, having tantrums over the price of oil. Or at least that's the impression I get from American media. Now, if you could replace those kids with chimpanzees, health-care reform and balancing the budget would be entirely possible. *thinks*

Wait, are you comparing our congressmen to ten year old kids? That's a huge insult to ten year old kids. You should apologize to them immediately.

[Great Malema]

America's isn't that bad but Canada has a far more superior healthcare system.