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Person Shares How Bad The US Healthcare System Is Despite Having A Top-Tier Insurance Plan
Interview With Author
Over the past year, each and every one of us has taken stock and it would be fair to say that a lot more of us prioritize our health and wellbeing than before. However, the past year has also shown the cracks in our healthcare systems, no matter what country we live in. But we all know that the US is a bit… ‘unusual’ with how they approach healthcare.
The country spends the most on healthcare, per capita, than any other developed nation; however, the end result isn’t better care but higher prices, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Tumblr user Avilociraptor opened up about the American healthcare system and how, in their experience, even “one of the most top-tier insurance plans available” wasn’t enough for them to get a meeting with their doctor immediately. Check out Avilociraptor’s story below, let us know what you think, and share your own experiences with health insurance in the comments, dear Pandas.
Avilociraptor spoke to Bored Panda about their viral post, about the changes to the health insurance system in the US, its issues, as well as what could be done to improve it in the future. “I wrote this post in a hospital cafeteria with an oxygen tank by my side, having just received a devastating diagnosis. As you can imagine, I was floored to find a friend had shared my post to their Facebook timeline the other day, not knowing I was the author. I’ve spent much of the last two days reading every comment and share I can find. I think it speaks volumes that this post is resonating with so many people, especially now that the pandemic has left so many of us without any health insurance at all.” Read on for the Tumblr user’s in-depth insights into the American healthcare system and what’s stopping it from being changed.
RELATED:
The US healthcare system is very wasteful. And even “top-tier” insurance plans don’t guarantee that you’ll see a doctor soon, as one person detailed
Image credits: Martha Dominguez de Gouveia
Image credits: avilociraptor
The Center for American Progress explains that the type of insurance coverage (private vs. public) you have, as well as where you live affects the average wait times to see a doctor.
Meanwhile, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, in 2019, health spending per person in the US was 10,966 dollars.
That sounds like a lot, and it is, but the real size becomes apparent when you compare it to the country with the next highest per capita health spending, Switzerland. US spending is a whopping 42 percent bigger than Switzerland’s which came in at second place.
What’s more, wealthy countries spend, on average, only half of what the US does on healthcare per person. Unfortunately, higher spending doesn’t translate into better, faster, more approachable healthcare for everyone in the US.
The New York Times reported on a study about how around 20 to 25 percent of American healthcare spending, or at least 760 billion dollars per year, is “wasteful” and could be cut out. So even small savings-focused changes to the system would have huge effects.
The quality of the healthcare system has gone further downhill
According to Avilociraptor, a lot has changed in their personal life, as well as in the US since they first published their Tumblr post back in 2017. And far from every change is for the better, unfortunately. “From my end, I have seen the overall quality of care degrade as wait times have become even longer with appointments now sometimes as short as five minutes. The health care system is still dismissive and even hostile to patients who are black or indigenous. As a parent, I can now tell you that pediatrics is just as afflicted as adult medicine and is sometimes even worse.”
Avilociraptor told Bored Panda that this isn’t because more people have access to healthcare. Rather, it’s because of how the “private insurance model has destroyed the doctor-patient relationship by strangling the autonomy of both patients and providers.” As insurance companies continue to restrict physicians’ ability to provide quality care for their patients, the latter are leaving their practices. “Nurses are overworked and underpaid, and yet we demonize them when they strike to provide safer conditions for themselves and their patients,” the author of the post added.
Americans genuinely care about their fellow citizens being healthy
We were curious to get the original poster’s opinion as to why some Americans are resistant to the idea to universal healthcare. The reality of the situation is that this resistance is interwoven with a genuine desire to see others be happy and healthy. “It is too easy to say we are all heartless, and I think most Americans want to have their fellow citizens taken care of because they realize the humanity of the situation. Those who are not persuaded by humanity are swayed by the pragmatics of universal healthcare access—mainly that a healthy population is better for every single economic marker and is less expensive than the system we currently have. Even someone who is completely self-centered would rather pay less from every paycheck as long as their own healthcare isn’t disrupted,” Avilociraptor gave their take.
Direct democracy would fix a lot of the current issues?
They continued, highlighting that the flaws in the system flow from the issues with (ironically) how limited democracy can sometimes feel in the US: “The problem is one of implementation rather than desire. The people in this country are nearly powerless on these matters as our government does not represent the people or carry out the will of its citizens. As much as we like to pretend our government is for and by the people, we are not a direct democracy. While 70%+ of Americans support a single-payer healthcare system, the public wanting something does not make it happen in this country.”
Avilociraptor was to-the-point that the only chance for Americans to be heard is to “regularly write to our representatives on all levels of government,” as well as “pray they hear us and are inspired to action.” However, many Americans don’t even bother writing letters because they don’t get many results.
Bridging the gap between citizens and their representatives is key
“The reality is that while politicians may have our best interests at heart when they are first elected, their interest in the needs of the people who elected them fade away quickly due to lobbying and corporate interests,” the Tumblr user shared their opinion about how even politicians genuinely interested in making the country a better place eventually have their idealism blunted by the way the real world works. But Avilociraptor isn’t planning on giving up anytime soon. They believe that bringing the country under scrutiny can create a better, brighter future.
“Despite these roadblocks, I refuse to resign myself to a position of hopelessness. I know doctors and nurses want the ability to treat their patients as they see fit. I know that most people want their fellow human beings—even the ones they don’t like—to access the healthcare they need. What we need to puzzle out now is how to bridge the gap between the will of the people and those who wield the power in this country.”
Here’s how people reacted to the Tumblr user’s post
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What do you think ?
Mike Crow 3 years ago
People claim Universal Healthcare is a bad socialist concept but Universal Healthcare is the best thing for a capitalist economy. It allows workers to be healthy and have less stress due to not worrying about medical expenses. Healthy workers are productive workers and productive workers make more profit for their companies.
Bepina 3 years ago
Exactly! The whole point is to get working people back on their feet as soon as possible so that they can be productive again. Here not only you lose a productive worker (who contributes to the society, earns money for their company and pays taxes) when they go into debt or bankruptcy because of medical bills, but you also create a problem, a person that now needs help from the state to survive, who becomes a burden for the state and the society (it sounds harsh but unfortunately it's real when we look at this through the lens of the cost). I will never understand what is so wrong with enabling people to get a proper healthcare without stripping them of their means to live, work and earn. In the end, that person costs the state a lot more than if it were taken care for through the universal healthcare system. Not to mention that whole families face ruin because one family member gets sick.
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Mike Crow 3 years ago
I know an American is going to ask “how are you going to pay for it?” Same way you pay for your over bloated military.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Exactly! The US accounts for nearly half of the world's military spending. We have hundreds of bases around the world that have long since outlived their usefulness. Not only that, the Pentagon cannot account for TRILLIONS of dollars. Yes, folks, that's TRILLIONS. Imagine what all that money could do if spent elsewhere - fix our bridges and roads, improve our schools, pay teachers decent wages, provide affordable health care, et cetera.
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Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
I'm British and chronically ill. The NHS is my savior! I've got friends in America who are chronically ill and ones just had to declare herself bankrupt because of mounting bills after she lost her job to her illnesses! I lost my job too but get a living wage of benefits to survive on and free health care too. Same for my friends in Canada and Europe! Yet some Americans *still* think their way is the best, like they can't admit that something in their country isn't the number 1 in the world! Crazy
Firefoxy3121 3 years ago
It's nearly the same in Australia, we don't wait three years for an appointment, or pay thousands of dollars for the simplest thing
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Dippin Dot 3 years ago
Yep - our insurance is a scam. I had a procedure scheduled for November. Found out if I had it done at that hospital I'd be charged $1000 just for having it done there I had already met all of my out of pocket expenses, so it should have been FREE. But just for having it at a hospital deemed "not preferred" by the insurance company would mean I'd be punished $1000. Got a statement in the mail Monday stating I still have to pay $1000, even after going to one of their "preferred" hospitals instead. And now I have to fight it. They try to get money from anyone who doesn't pay attention and messed with the wrong person this time.
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
Yep. My sister has the same issues. When she has to shop for insurances each year (her work's is too expensive), she always checks to make sure the plans cover the stuff she KNOWS she needs (depo shots, etc). She works at an insurance customer call center, she knows her sh*t. Most insurances deny claims immediately and you have to waste a lot of time and energy to get what you paid for. Total scam.
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
It's rather useless to keep discussing this topic. A lot of people have been wanting and asking for a more accessible and better health care system, but it's just not happening. The main reason is that all parties that are now getting rich over the backs of sick people, are fighting to keep the status quo. Also the constant flow of misinformation from these parties make a lot Americans reluctant to switch to a system where they can get the medical help they need 24/7/365. Because it would be an "unaffordable and unsustainable" system. ( NO, do NOT even glance at Europe where such systems are active and working for decades without any sign of deterioration...)
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
And don't look at our military spending! It's to keep us safe and to take care of our veterans. But don't look at the VA system either!
Load More Replies... jevais 3 years ago
Americans think that Europe is all extreme left wing or communist? What do they teach in the schools nowadays? It's just unbelievable that the vast majority think that a health care system would make USA communist. Really the education level is truly in the gutters.
LittleMissLotus 3 years ago
Not everybody- only the idiots in our country. Most sane people want universal healthcare.
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Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I think this system is doomed, b/c healthcare is infrastructure, along with education and transportation, and all of those benefit the *economy* overall, so dam* if I know why capitalists do what they do. PS: I'm American. And in 2016, thanks to her HMO, my mom with a brain tumor was going to be kicked out of an ER that knew she had a brain tumor, b/c she didn't have coverage to stay. With a BRAIN TUMOR. She'd have been wandering the streets without knowing where she was, etc. thanks to that. Imagine it. Concussed, brain tumor, wandering the streets, gee, how long would that take to be a disaster? All over... a hospital not admitting her b/c her HMO wouldn't have covered it.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
(2) She had a fender-bender, and a very nice cop saw she was more confused than she "should" be, and hunted down her contact info, and I knew she was missing b/c she *never* didn't check in, and... Long story short: She's fine now, barely. No thanks to "healthcare". She also doesn't qualify for aid post-tumor. Yeah. Welcome to "freedom". You're free to die slowly, painfully, in poverty, rather than get a diagnostic scan and a surgery before it's so dire that even the doc can't believe she survived.
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James016 3 years ago
If anyone is interested, look up Wendell Potter on twitter, he was a VP for a health insurance company and now is a whistle-blower. I'm glad I and my family have the NHS. They are far from perfect but they have been very good recently when my son was admitted to hospital twice in the space of 1 month. It still baffles me that some Americans would medical bankruptcy than pay a bit more in taxes to fund a universal health care model.
Random Panda 3 years ago
I just did my taxes and I paid $14,000 for healthcare premiums for my daughter and I last year. That's not even including the $10,000 I spent out of pocket because I had an emergency medical issue. That's $25,000 I spent on healthcare, so a little bit higher taxes wouldn't be so bad at all compared to that.
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Lis A 3 years ago (edited)
American healthcare: get picked up in an ambulance because you are so dehydrated you are cramping everywhere and need o2. Sit on gurney in hospital with no o2 or fluids or observation for 2 hours then finally get "oh you're dehydrated, let's get you on fluids"... 2nd story fall, get concussed and left to lie on the ice for a while. Start hypothermic reaction. Ambulance doesn't support your neck but gives you many warm blankets. Left on gurney alone again while traveling in and out of consciousness for an unknown amount of time and then get forgotten about and left outside the MRI room..
Truth Monster 3 years ago
Imagine government incompetence on top of that. And red tape.
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giovanna 3 years ago
I live in Italy. We have a (perfectible but still) very good national healthcare system. Statements like "waiting time etc" don't make much sense to me: we still have the choice of going private if it fits better. Of course in that case you pay full price and I don't like the idea of private anyway, and I much more trust the public system's quality standard. But it's not that you "don't have a choice". And, to prevent the "you pay twice" criticism: at the end, even if I had to go private often, it would still be way, way cheaper than the USA system.
jevais 3 years ago
I feel extremely sorry for those living in countries were only the very rich can offered health care. USA is one of these countries. I am Swiss and my country by far is not an extreme left wing or communist, it's definitely a capitalise country. Yet we do have a very good health care system.
blugeagua 3 years ago
You're still wrong in thinking the "vast majority" of Americans are ignorant. We're not! Most of us would love to have a more socialist country.
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Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
What people don’t realize is that right now they pay the same copayment amount for health insurance that the owner of the company does. For the minimum wage worker, that’s a chunk, while the CEO doesn’t even notice it. Universal Healthcare, paid for by taxes, would be a lot more fair. You’d be paying the same small percentage, but in dollars the CEO would be paying way more than the minimum wage worker. Example: Janitor making $7.25/hr and CEO making $500/hr ($1million/yr), both full time 40hrs/wk. Let’s say healthcare costs $65/wk, or $1.63/hr. That’s 23% of the janitor’s paycheck, but only .3% of the CEO’s (yep, 3 tenths of one percent). Now, if universal healthcare is taxed at 1%, the janitor only pays 7.25 cents per hour, while the CEO pays $5.00 per hour for it. See the difference? If set up like the British National Health, then anyone can opt to pay full price for private care, so if the CEO doesn’t want to wait or share a room, they can bloody well pay full price for it.
les 3 years ago
I have a friend in the us that uses the same inhalers I do. Mine are free but they have to pay $400 every month for one. Also medical bankruptcy is seen as a normal thing in usa and getting sick can cost you everything for years. s**t, they claim to follow jesus but have learned nothing from him, he provided free health care but even us christians are against free health care
tomruns12 3 years ago
Took 8 months to get a diagnosis for a condition that cause me a lot of daily pain Because my insurance wanted me to jump through a bunch of hoops before getting the test that was guaranteed to determine the cause of the pain. both me and my insurance ended up spending more on all the other tests and Dr appointments than the test costs.
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
My sister needs an MRI and has needed one for years. Insurance won't cover it unless she goes through hours of useless physical therapy. Closest PT center is an hour away. Time off work + gas = can't afford it. Can't afford to pay for the MRI out of pocket. Makes zero sense unless you only care about profits.
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Treessimontrees 3 years ago
I pay $1200 per month, which is considered good, my employer picks up the rest which is significant. My deductible is $2000 before the insurance kicks in. My insurance only covers me to a maximum of $6000 for one expensive medication, so I pay the rest as I don't qualify for financial help because I earn about 4% over their maximum. Every single claim I put in gets delayed, questioned, rejected, appealed, then sometimes paid, sometimes not. Getting an appointment is a lottery. Forms and more forms, before I go, while I'm there, sometimes after I leave. It's a total joke of a system.
Big J 3 years ago
Do you pay 1,200 a month for just yourself? Or is that a family plan? What State do you live in? My wife an I pay about $850 a month in CA. She has RA and also reaches the max out of pocket which is an additional $4,000. We pay about $15,000 a year in medical expenses. Of course one dose of her medication without insurance would run about $17,000 so If the ACA ever got repealed and we lost coverage for preexisting conditions that would be it for her. I really hope one day we can move to Universal Healthcare.
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JessG 3 years ago
At first I was like "another post about how crappy American healthcare system is, me and most people already knows how bad it is I don't really need to read this" then I read it, and yup, another infuriating reason why it's flawed. My parents have absolutely top tier insurance as well, and this crap happens all the time. My Dad is a veteran that has cancer, but still has issues with appointments. It's all so ridiculous
Allen Craighead 3 years ago
The rich elite are vile idiots who think that if others have more they will surely have less. It's so stupid.
Jill 3 years ago
If there was ANY transparency in the US about how medical bills are dealt with between medical providers and insurers, I think that system would not be called capitalism at all and be VERY illegal. The insurance and medical providers play their own little game of prisoner over money. But since these two groups are huge lobbies that sink money into political pockets, you can hear their voices as a ventriloquist speaking through a dummy.
TexasPK 3 years ago
We left the US in November after the election. Moved to Jordan. I had trouble with my dentures. The dentist came to our house that evening and I had new dentures in 2 days at less than 1/4 of the price in Texas. They fit much, much better and do not hurt my mouth.
Kim Irving 3 years ago
Canadian here...It hurts my heart to know that there are so many people that suffer, or have to watch those that they love suffer because they have to choose between a roof over their heads, food on their tables or going to the doctor. This should never be a question someone has to deal with! Especially when it is children. As much as there are wait times in Canada (at the most I have waited 2 weeks for a specialist appointment), I am so glad that my children or I need to go to the doctor for ANY reason we can. And even the emerg wait times (depending on time of day & the season) can be fairly low. The only change Canada should make in regards to healthcare, is the cost of life saving medicines. If you don't have a benefit plan or insurance that can very expensive.
JessG 3 years ago
Unfortunately, Big pharma ultimately has all the control over medicine prices, and I don't know if that will ever change.
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Christy Smith 3 years ago
All these Republicans here is that there would need to be a tax increase &, for the rich, THATS just not going to work for ten. The US is ran and owned by the rich and the corporation in which those same ppl are CEO's. It drives me absolutely nuts when a lower middle class and below are Republicans, it's like they're f*****g blind to reality.
David Retsler 3 years ago
American medical care is in place to make a profit and not to save lives. The physicians and nurses are the only ones who actually give a s**t about you and refuse to look at you as a human ATM.
KT 3 years ago
Getting care should never cost you a dime. Where is the compassion and kindness in a system like the US? It's abominable. I am shocked they don't move to other countries because yes one day you will need some seriously "expensive" medical services. Everyone does. You shouldn't be denied care because of money
Tracy Sellars 3 years ago
Top tier medical insurance in Australia. New Years Day 2020 woke up in extreme pain. Stupidity means I wait till next day to see doctor who immediately sends me off to get tests. Rock up next day back to doctor for results. Got told I have kidney stones and must be admitted to hospital that day. Time is 10am. After call to private hospital, they have found me relevant surgeon and I am booked for admission at 2.00pm in my own private room. Have operation next day and a week later back to have stent removed. Total cost including anesthesiology under $1,000.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 3 years ago
I have two problems currently so I have been in imaging about 5 or 6 times in 2 weeks. All were scheduled when I called or the day the dr ordered extras. I just did an ultrasound on my skull and CT scans on my feet. However, my ultrasound showed abnormality in my brain last Friday. Results were Monday and someone was to call for a CT scan. I was there today for my other problem and thet told me it was because they were waiting on insurance. Ok, why didn't I have to wait for the other appointments? My new insurance, Aetna, has a $3,000 OOP deductable before thet cover 90%. So all my appointments now are OOP. The wait is killing me. My foot is ON FIRE (cortizone shot today!) And my head is bugging me, and I am scared of what the abnormality is. (Discovered a bump in my skull but I did not hit my head. I understand skull scars are bumps). When I had my 2nd child they tried to tell me I had a C Section, and still billed that after I corrected them. Ugh.
John and Brandy Keippala 3 years ago
I was having a miscarriage - went to ER - full labor - bleeding heavily - tons of pain (emotional and physical). Was made to sit in waiting room, getting blood everywhere. They gave me a pad (like a pee pad for pets) to sit on. Had to fill out paperwork in between panting and trying not to scream too loudly (and everyone was staring). They had cubicles for consultations - two. Both empty. I tried to sit in one for some privacy. Nope. Not allowed. At least an hour before I was taken back. So long that they couldn't get a vein for the IV. By that time no way to save my daughter either.
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
Insane! The only defendable thing is the pad. That's pretty normal, even after delivery because you leak fluid for weeks. That's it. Considering you generally aren't leaking in public sitting on a pee pad so embarrassment is insult to injury. Nothing else is remotely defendable. I'm so sorry you lost your daughter
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jenjie.newt 3 years ago
When I broke my femur I was sent home with prescription tylenol. And when I passed out on the floor of the ER bathroom I was left there for almost an hour before anyone noticed.With the most expensive insurance plan available to me.
Ben Steinberg 3 years ago
People are missing the boat when they talk about Universal health care here in the US. One of the biggest obstacles to that? The AMA. The American Medical Association "is the largest association and lobby group of physicians—both MDs and DOs—and medical students in the United States" (from Wikipedia). They restrict the number of accredited medical schools in the US. Therefore, they restrict the number of doctors. We don't have ENOUGH doctors. That's why OP is waiting 3, 8 months for an appointment with a specialist. And, if an item has scarcity (ie not enough doctors) value for that item is through the roof. Doctors make a HUGE amount of money here and if you challenge it, you get: But they went to medical school, they have your loved ones health in their hands, etc...Sure, but if there were MORE doctors, you couldn't get away with that. It's not the fault of any individual doctor but of a system that has grown over time; the AMA plays major role as an obstacle.
Monica Michelle 3 years ago
14k billed for a 3 hour er visit . 3year wait to see a eds specialist. Top health insurance means 6k a year before we pay 20% of whatever the bill is see 14k above
jevais 3 years ago (edited)
A Health insurance basic in Switzerland costs about 500.- per month Swiss francs. You pay per year the firsts 300._ Swiss francs. Once the 1st three hundred are paid by, the insurance will remebourse you 90% of the bill. One can have a higher part paid per year up 2500. - Francs by you. Therefore you pay per month much less. If you cannot pay for an insurance your city and state takes the charge of your payment. Nobody goes with out health care in my country. Our taxes are rather high, two and half months of salary are to be paid for the local and federal taxes. This might seem much, yet provides a parachute for the least fortunate.
Luttjetrut 3 years ago
Germany: my GP nocited something off on my heart and wanted a specialist to have a look at it. Every specialist I called, couldn't give me an appointment within the next 6 months. (Thank God, it was "only" my heart...") When I asked if they knew someone who could see me sooner, they started laughingI So I decided to give it a try in anonther country: called a specialist in the Netherlands and I got an appointment the next week. I had to pay for it by myself, but I thought that could be worth it.
dev mehta 3 years ago
Here in Canada waiting weeks or months to see a medical specialist is normal, just like other countries. However, the more dire your medical condition, the sooner you see the specialist. For example, if your GP suspects stage II cancer, she will schedule the appointment within a week. This is just how medical scheduling works, nothing to do with "socialist" medicine.
Jen Cook 3 years ago
In Canada childbirth averages US$3,195 for a standard delivery and US$5,980 for a C-section. In the United States is US$10,808 per delivery. If a C-section is required the fee goes up to US$16,106. The US spends more covering some people with the current gov't programs than it costs Canada to cover all people per capita. Politicians who tell you that USA can't afford universal are lying, it would save money and lives. I've never waited for a surgery in Canada, we have a longer life expectancy in Canada and I benefit and gladly contribute to those in my community being healthy, mentally and physically. There are some people who get very rich selling health care and insurance in the US and they donate and lobby politicians. Universal drives costs down. I have several cancer survivors in my family and had a cyst with turned out to be benign thankfully, stressful time to say the least and worrying about cost in addition would have broken me.
Laura Maeflower 3 years ago
I'm Canadian. I've had to wait 8-9 hours in the hospital on many occasions due to chronic health issues, and I'll do it again and again cause I never had to pay even a single penny any time.
Eric Pledger 3 years ago
Quick question..This story was about a man upset with the American health care system, right? (Rightfully so) How does universal health care aid in lessening the high demand that his specialist experiences and lessen the time of his wait? That was his main point. I'm all ears and have an open mind, but how does this magically create more doctors? Thus alleviating his main gripe?
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Could it be you can't see the specialist sooner because they're booked up that far in advance? They're not going to cancel an appointment with someone with lower level insurance to fit you sooner are they? If there aren't enough specialists for the number of people needing them, then you will wait, regardless of your superior insurance.
RayAnna Wilson 3 years ago (edited)
My dad has diabetes and gets sores on his feet. He went to the doctor to have it treated. Three days later he received a package in the mail. A box of gauze anyone could buy at the store for five dollars. Turns out the Dr's office had a deal with some company to send gauze to patients. Only they don't tell the patient they are being charged for the item they never asked for. The company charged my father's insurance almost five-hundred for a box of gauze. That's an eighty dollar deductible my father refused to pay. I'm so tired of this part of America.
Sagtiya Sieelan 3 years ago
Omg😲.. so much for a 'first world nation'. I never expected this especially on healthcare in USA.
TexasWoman 3 years ago
I've had UHC for 10 years and this has never happened to me. It really depends on how busy your doctor is; UHC can't tell your doctor "see him/her next week."
Arieke 3 years ago
Who ever got it into American heads that a Universal Health plan is Socialist, is an idiot. It's called Social Democratic and is an entirely different thing altogether. In the Netherlands we pay insurance per month, top tier would be around €160,- and can be lower, it's a choice what you want covered, but when something happens there are no additional costs. Need a ride in an ambulance, You'll never see a bill. Need extensive heart surgery, you will never see a bill. Worst that could happen to you is when you need meds, some are not covered so you pay the first €385,- yourself, that's per annum, but it is still a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. And remember boys and girls it's called Social Democratic.......
Brandy Grote 3 years ago (edited)
Another reason to curse Nixon. He allowed health insurance to become for-profit. And everything got worse. I'm very fortunate to live in a city with EIGHTY hospitals, with access to both regular and VA systems. The VA system is a bit backed up, but has VASTLY improved over the years. My health insurance has stepped up. There is a next day requirement for mental health referrals- even "just" for non-emergency office therapy. I can see my dr in a few weeks, but generally get a good answer by phone. I can get in to my specialists within 10 days, but I'm not about to die from what I have. I would expect even faster times for dire needs. I would love Medicare For All, Universal, soshalizm, whatever, if it gives everyone my level of care!
Leodavinci 3 years ago
Wait times (for anything, let alone health care) typically exist because of time and personnel constraints, and little to do with anything else. UHC will not change that. A lot of people are calling for UHC because of the Covid pandemic, but every other country has had to deal with the same issues as the U.S. of too many sick people and not enough doctors, nurses, and facilities. No country was really prepared for Covid.
Kathleen Brewer 3 years ago
A place with 4 hospitals is a town not a city. Anytime I have called for a dr appointment even with a specialist I get an appointment within a couple of days. These commenters must live in BFE if they are waiting that long.
J. Zingler 3 years ago
Universal healthcare now? I live in Germany, we have "Universal Healthcare". Waiting times: ophthalmologist= 1 year +, dermatologist = 1 year +, orthopedist= 1 year + or accident, gp = 3 month. And that was before Corona.
Lucas 3 years ago
Wow. I only need a review of my regular meds and the appointment I made last week is on 1st Feb and that's during covid (be done by phone) - just two weeks. NHS isn't perfect but I've always been able to see a doctor same day if it was urgent and within a fortnight if it wasn't.
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Maris madness 3 years ago
My Dr's wait times are usually 2 months but if I ask to speak to his nurse they get me in withing the week. Maybe try that
Dr. Carlos Dangercat 3 years ago
I'm not sure that universal healthcare would improve wait times. It would probably make them a bit worse. But it would go far in improving the health and income inequalities in US society. I will say that in my experience when there's something imminently life threateningly wrong with you are prioritized for appointments. I knew things were serious when I was on my way to being diagnosed with cancer when my doctor started booking same-week appointments with different specialists on my behalf. Fortunately I am healthy and cancer free today!
Truth Monster 3 years ago
I wholeheartedly agree the American healthcare system is broken. I have medical debt which will likely follow me the rest of my life. Where I back away from the universal healthcare bandwagon is my innate distrust of the government. The government has a habit of overpromising, under-fulfilling, and charging us four times the cost and then shrugging when things go horribly wrong. Here are some examples *Police Forces (Corruption, unnecessary enforcement, etc) *Food stamps (theft ) *Social security (bankruptcy) *housing the homeless *feeding the homeless *those already on Medicare (Ask someone on it how much care they actually get) *Public School Systems (For one of the wealthiest nations, its a disgrace)
JessG 3 years ago
My parents are on Medicare and claim the care is pretty good, but they admit the wait times are ridiculous. I agree with you about the rest of the stuff and the problems with asking for things like socialized medicine from our government is that all of the people that make those decisions are hard core capitalists, and will always choose money over our best interests. So, while I would love socialized medicine, I too am wary of the government
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tuzdayschild 3 years ago
I'm American. My insurance allows me to see a doctor when ever I need to see a doctor. Unscheduled or specialist have a co-pay but it's it's not bad. I have always had the good fortune of having med insurance through my jobs and it's always been pretty good.
Esca Sav 3 years ago
To an extent. My dad had insurance from my mom's job and we paid additional for medicare since he was over 65. That essentially means all his bills were completely covered, but god forbid he wasn't 65 years old when he was diagnosed with gastric cancer and had to go for chemo treatment. We had one of the "good" insurances. Without the secondary healthcare, WE wouldn't have survived. On top of that, my mom is younger. She only has primary healthcare and had to have emergency surgery on her spine. She SPECIFICALLY checked if all her doctors were in-network. Both her surgeon and the hospital were in-network. Several months after the surgery, we get a $96k bill... Why? Because the surgeon called a co-surgeon, a out-of-network surgeon, to help with the surgery while my mom was out cold already on the table. Wait times aren't bad unless you go to an emergency room or see a very popular doctor that has good ratings. Which can take several months to schedule an appointment. Bills? We're f*cked
Load More Replies... Bill 3 years ago
My doctor has quite a few Quebec license plates in his parking lot. All the Canadians talk of endless waits so they drive down to Maine to pay for care(pre COVID)
Lucas 3 years ago
Don't they have private health care as well? In the UK you have the NHS but you can also go private and jump a queue. It still won't cost the prices charged in the US. I have never had to wait for longer than a couple of weeks when things were serious. Months for minor stuff - 4 to be precise but it was something I'd lived with for a while. Also, did you not read the above???
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Mike Crow 3 years ago
How about conservatives cutting medical funding and their mismanagement of healthcare systems. All they care about is money and kickbacks from insurance companies.
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Alexis draskinis 3 years ago
I dont see how this is any different than when an insurance company denies/rejects treatments for either age span. It happens here all the time...and we still pay more $$ for them to do it
Load More Replies... Mike Crow 3 years ago
People claim Universal Healthcare is a bad socialist concept but Universal Healthcare is the best thing for a capitalist economy. It allows workers to be healthy and have less stress due to not worrying about medical expenses. Healthy workers are productive workers and productive workers make more profit for their companies.
Bepina 3 years ago
Exactly! The whole point is to get working people back on their feet as soon as possible so that they can be productive again. Here not only you lose a productive worker (who contributes to the society, earns money for their company and pays taxes) when they go into debt or bankruptcy because of medical bills, but you also create a problem, a person that now needs help from the state to survive, who becomes a burden for the state and the society (it sounds harsh but unfortunately it's real when we look at this through the lens of the cost). I will never understand what is so wrong with enabling people to get a proper healthcare without stripping them of their means to live, work and earn. In the end, that person costs the state a lot more than if it were taken care for through the universal healthcare system. Not to mention that whole families face ruin because one family member gets sick.
Load More Replies... Mike Crow 3 years ago
I know an American is going to ask “how are you going to pay for it?” Same way you pay for your over bloated military.
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Exactly! The US accounts for nearly half of the world's military spending. We have hundreds of bases around the world that have long since outlived their usefulness. Not only that, the Pentagon cannot account for TRILLIONS of dollars. Yes, folks, that's TRILLIONS. Imagine what all that money could do if spent elsewhere - fix our bridges and roads, improve our schools, pay teachers decent wages, provide affordable health care, et cetera.
Load More Replies... Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
I'm British and chronically ill. The NHS is my savior! I've got friends in America who are chronically ill and ones just had to declare herself bankrupt because of mounting bills after she lost her job to her illnesses! I lost my job too but get a living wage of benefits to survive on and free health care too. Same for my friends in Canada and Europe! Yet some Americans *still* think their way is the best, like they can't admit that something in their country isn't the number 1 in the world! Crazy
Firefoxy3121 3 years ago
It's nearly the same in Australia, we don't wait three years for an appointment, or pay thousands of dollars for the simplest thing
Load More Replies... Dippin Dot 3 years ago
Yep - our insurance is a scam. I had a procedure scheduled for November. Found out if I had it done at that hospital I'd be charged $1000 just for having it done there I had already met all of my out of pocket expenses, so it should have been FREE. But just for having it at a hospital deemed "not preferred" by the insurance company would mean I'd be punished $1000. Got a statement in the mail Monday stating I still have to pay $1000, even after going to one of their "preferred" hospitals instead. And now I have to fight it. They try to get money from anyone who doesn't pay attention and messed with the wrong person this time.
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
Yep. My sister has the same issues. When she has to shop for insurances each year (her work's is too expensive), she always checks to make sure the plans cover the stuff she KNOWS she needs (depo shots, etc). She works at an insurance customer call center, she knows her sh*t. Most insurances deny claims immediately and you have to waste a lot of time and energy to get what you paid for. Total scam.
Load More Replies... WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
It's rather useless to keep discussing this topic. A lot of people have been wanting and asking for a more accessible and better health care system, but it's just not happening. The main reason is that all parties that are now getting rich over the backs of sick people, are fighting to keep the status quo. Also the constant flow of misinformation from these parties make a lot Americans reluctant to switch to a system where they can get the medical help they need 24/7/365. Because it would be an "unaffordable and unsustainable" system. ( NO, do NOT even glance at Europe where such systems are active and working for decades without any sign of deterioration...)
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
And don't look at our military spending! It's to keep us safe and to take care of our veterans. But don't look at the VA system either!
Load More Replies... jevais 3 years ago
Americans think that Europe is all extreme left wing or communist? What do they teach in the schools nowadays? It's just unbelievable that the vast majority think that a health care system would make USA communist. Really the education level is truly in the gutters.
LittleMissLotus 3 years ago
Not everybody- only the idiots in our country. Most sane people want universal healthcare.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I think this system is doomed, b/c healthcare is infrastructure, along with education and transportation, and all of those benefit the *economy* overall, so dam* if I know why capitalists do what they do. PS: I'm American. And in 2016, thanks to her HMO, my mom with a brain tumor was going to be kicked out of an ER that knew she had a brain tumor, b/c she didn't have coverage to stay. With a BRAIN TUMOR. She'd have been wandering the streets without knowing where she was, etc. thanks to that. Imagine it. Concussed, brain tumor, wandering the streets, gee, how long would that take to be a disaster? All over... a hospital not admitting her b/c her HMO wouldn't have covered it.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
(2) She had a fender-bender, and a very nice cop saw she was more confused than she "should" be, and hunted down her contact info, and I knew she was missing b/c she *never* didn't check in, and... Long story short: She's fine now, barely. No thanks to "healthcare". She also doesn't qualify for aid post-tumor. Yeah. Welcome to "freedom". You're free to die slowly, painfully, in poverty, rather than get a diagnostic scan and a surgery before it's so dire that even the doc can't believe she survived.
Load More Replies... James016 3 years ago
If anyone is interested, look up Wendell Potter on twitter, he was a VP for a health insurance company and now is a whistle-blower. I'm glad I and my family have the NHS. They are far from perfect but they have been very good recently when my son was admitted to hospital twice in the space of 1 month. It still baffles me that some Americans would medical bankruptcy than pay a bit more in taxes to fund a universal health care model.
Random Panda 3 years ago
I just did my taxes and I paid $14,000 for healthcare premiums for my daughter and I last year. That's not even including the $10,000 I spent out of pocket because I had an emergency medical issue. That's $25,000 I spent on healthcare, so a little bit higher taxes wouldn't be so bad at all compared to that.
Load More Replies... Lis A 3 years ago (edited)
American healthcare: get picked up in an ambulance because you are so dehydrated you are cramping everywhere and need o2. Sit on gurney in hospital with no o2 or fluids or observation for 2 hours then finally get "oh you're dehydrated, let's get you on fluids"... 2nd story fall, get concussed and left to lie on the ice for a while. Start hypothermic reaction. Ambulance doesn't support your neck but gives you many warm blankets. Left on gurney alone again while traveling in and out of consciousness for an unknown amount of time and then get forgotten about and left outside the MRI room..
Truth Monster 3 years ago
Imagine government incompetence on top of that. And red tape.
Load More Replies... giovanna 3 years ago
I live in Italy. We have a (perfectible but still) very good national healthcare system. Statements like "waiting time etc" don't make much sense to me: we still have the choice of going private if it fits better. Of course in that case you pay full price and I don't like the idea of private anyway, and I much more trust the public system's quality standard. But it's not that you "don't have a choice". And, to prevent the "you pay twice" criticism: at the end, even if I had to go private often, it would still be way, way cheaper than the USA system.
jevais 3 years ago
I feel extremely sorry for those living in countries were only the very rich can offered health care. USA is one of these countries. I am Swiss and my country by far is not an extreme left wing or communist, it's definitely a capitalise country. Yet we do have a very good health care system.
blugeagua 3 years ago
You're still wrong in thinking the "vast majority" of Americans are ignorant. We're not! Most of us would love to have a more socialist country.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
What people don’t realize is that right now they pay the same copayment amount for health insurance that the owner of the company does. For the minimum wage worker, that’s a chunk, while the CEO doesn’t even notice it. Universal Healthcare, paid for by taxes, would be a lot more fair. You’d be paying the same small percentage, but in dollars the CEO would be paying way more than the minimum wage worker. Example: Janitor making $7.25/hr and CEO making $500/hr ($1million/yr), both full time 40hrs/wk. Let’s say healthcare costs $65/wk, or $1.63/hr. That’s 23% of the janitor’s paycheck, but only .3% of the CEO’s (yep, 3 tenths of one percent). Now, if universal healthcare is taxed at 1%, the janitor only pays 7.25 cents per hour, while the CEO pays $5.00 per hour for it. See the difference? If set up like the British National Health, then anyone can opt to pay full price for private care, so if the CEO doesn’t want to wait or share a room, they can bloody well pay full price for it.
les 3 years ago
I have a friend in the us that uses the same inhalers I do. Mine are free but they have to pay $400 every month for one. Also medical bankruptcy is seen as a normal thing in usa and getting sick can cost you everything for years. s**t, they claim to follow jesus but have learned nothing from him, he provided free health care but even us christians are against free health care
tomruns12 3 years ago
Took 8 months to get a diagnosis for a condition that cause me a lot of daily pain Because my insurance wanted me to jump through a bunch of hoops before getting the test that was guaranteed to determine the cause of the pain. both me and my insurance ended up spending more on all the other tests and Dr appointments than the test costs.
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
My sister needs an MRI and has needed one for years. Insurance won't cover it unless she goes through hours of useless physical therapy. Closest PT center is an hour away. Time off work + gas = can't afford it. Can't afford to pay for the MRI out of pocket. Makes zero sense unless you only care about profits.
Load More Replies... Treessimontrees 3 years ago
I pay $1200 per month, which is considered good, my employer picks up the rest which is significant. My deductible is $2000 before the insurance kicks in. My insurance only covers me to a maximum of $6000 for one expensive medication, so I pay the rest as I don't qualify for financial help because I earn about 4% over their maximum. Every single claim I put in gets delayed, questioned, rejected, appealed, then sometimes paid, sometimes not. Getting an appointment is a lottery. Forms and more forms, before I go, while I'm there, sometimes after I leave. It's a total joke of a system.
Big J 3 years ago
Do you pay 1,200 a month for just yourself? Or is that a family plan? What State do you live in? My wife an I pay about $850 a month in CA. She has RA and also reaches the max out of pocket which is an additional $4,000. We pay about $15,000 a year in medical expenses. Of course one dose of her medication without insurance would run about $17,000 so If the ACA ever got repealed and we lost coverage for preexisting conditions that would be it for her. I really hope one day we can move to Universal Healthcare.
Load More Replies... JessG 3 years ago
At first I was like "another post about how crappy American healthcare system is, me and most people already knows how bad it is I don't really need to read this" then I read it, and yup, another infuriating reason why it's flawed. My parents have absolutely top tier insurance as well, and this crap happens all the time. My Dad is a veteran that has cancer, but still has issues with appointments. It's all so ridiculous
Allen Craighead 3 years ago
The rich elite are vile idiots who think that if others have more they will surely have less. It's so stupid.
Jill 3 years ago
If there was ANY transparency in the US about how medical bills are dealt with between medical providers and insurers, I think that system would not be called capitalism at all and be VERY illegal. The insurance and medical providers play their own little game of prisoner over money. But since these two groups are huge lobbies that sink money into political pockets, you can hear their voices as a ventriloquist speaking through a dummy.
TexasPK 3 years ago
We left the US in November after the election. Moved to Jordan. I had trouble with my dentures. The dentist came to our house that evening and I had new dentures in 2 days at less than 1/4 of the price in Texas. They fit much, much better and do not hurt my mouth.
Kim Irving 3 years ago
Canadian here...It hurts my heart to know that there are so many people that suffer, or have to watch those that they love suffer because they have to choose between a roof over their heads, food on their tables or going to the doctor. This should never be a question someone has to deal with! Especially when it is children. As much as there are wait times in Canada (at the most I have waited 2 weeks for a specialist appointment), I am so glad that my children or I need to go to the doctor for ANY reason we can. And even the emerg wait times (depending on time of day & the season) can be fairly low. The only change Canada should make in regards to healthcare, is the cost of life saving medicines. If you don't have a benefit plan or insurance that can very expensive.
JessG 3 years ago
Unfortunately, Big pharma ultimately has all the control over medicine prices, and I don't know if that will ever change.
Load More Replies... Christy Smith 3 years ago
All these Republicans here is that there would need to be a tax increase &, for the rich, THATS just not going to work for ten. The US is ran and owned by the rich and the corporation in which those same ppl are CEO's. It drives me absolutely nuts when a lower middle class and below are Republicans, it's like they're f*****g blind to reality.
David Retsler 3 years ago
American medical care is in place to make a profit and not to save lives. The physicians and nurses are the only ones who actually give a s**t about you and refuse to look at you as a human ATM.
KT 3 years ago
Getting care should never cost you a dime. Where is the compassion and kindness in a system like the US? It's abominable. I am shocked they don't move to other countries because yes one day you will need some seriously "expensive" medical services. Everyone does. You shouldn't be denied care because of money
Tracy Sellars 3 years ago
Top tier medical insurance in Australia. New Years Day 2020 woke up in extreme pain. Stupidity means I wait till next day to see doctor who immediately sends me off to get tests. Rock up next day back to doctor for results. Got told I have kidney stones and must be admitted to hospital that day. Time is 10am. After call to private hospital, they have found me relevant surgeon and I am booked for admission at 2.00pm in my own private room. Have operation next day and a week later back to have stent removed. Total cost including anesthesiology under $1,000.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 3 years ago
I have two problems currently so I have been in imaging about 5 or 6 times in 2 weeks. All were scheduled when I called or the day the dr ordered extras. I just did an ultrasound on my skull and CT scans on my feet. However, my ultrasound showed abnormality in my brain last Friday. Results were Monday and someone was to call for a CT scan. I was there today for my other problem and thet told me it was because they were waiting on insurance. Ok, why didn't I have to wait for the other appointments? My new insurance, Aetna, has a $3,000 OOP deductable before thet cover 90%. So all my appointments now are OOP. The wait is killing me. My foot is ON FIRE (cortizone shot today!) And my head is bugging me, and I am scared of what the abnormality is. (Discovered a bump in my skull but I did not hit my head. I understand skull scars are bumps). When I had my 2nd child they tried to tell me I had a C Section, and still billed that after I corrected them. Ugh.
John and Brandy Keippala 3 years ago
I was having a miscarriage - went to ER - full labor - bleeding heavily - tons of pain (emotional and physical). Was made to sit in waiting room, getting blood everywhere. They gave me a pad (like a pee pad for pets) to sit on. Had to fill out paperwork in between panting and trying not to scream too loudly (and everyone was staring). They had cubicles for consultations - two. Both empty. I tried to sit in one for some privacy. Nope. Not allowed. At least an hour before I was taken back. So long that they couldn't get a vein for the IV. By that time no way to save my daughter either.
BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago
Insane! The only defendable thing is the pad. That's pretty normal, even after delivery because you leak fluid for weeks. That's it. Considering you generally aren't leaking in public sitting on a pee pad so embarrassment is insult to injury. Nothing else is remotely defendable. I'm so sorry you lost your daughter
Load More Replies... jenjie.newt 3 years ago
When I broke my femur I was sent home with prescription tylenol. And when I passed out on the floor of the ER bathroom I was left there for almost an hour before anyone noticed.With the most expensive insurance plan available to me.
Ben Steinberg 3 years ago
People are missing the boat when they talk about Universal health care here in the US. One of the biggest obstacles to that? The AMA. The American Medical Association "is the largest association and lobby group of physicians—both MDs and DOs—and medical students in the United States" (from Wikipedia). They restrict the number of accredited medical schools in the US. Therefore, they restrict the number of doctors. We don't have ENOUGH doctors. That's why OP is waiting 3, 8 months for an appointment with a specialist. And, if an item has scarcity (ie not enough doctors) value for that item is through the roof. Doctors make a HUGE amount of money here and if you challenge it, you get: But they went to medical school, they have your loved ones health in their hands, etc...Sure, but if there were MORE doctors, you couldn't get away with that. It's not the fault of any individual doctor but of a system that has grown over time; the AMA plays major role as an obstacle.
Monica Michelle 3 years ago
14k billed for a 3 hour er visit . 3year wait to see a eds specialist. Top health insurance means 6k a year before we pay 20% of whatever the bill is see 14k above
jevais 3 years ago (edited)
A Health insurance basic in Switzerland costs about 500.- per month Swiss francs. You pay per year the firsts 300._ Swiss francs. Once the 1st three hundred are paid by, the insurance will remebourse you 90% of the bill. One can have a higher part paid per year up 2500. - Francs by you. Therefore you pay per month much less. If you cannot pay for an insurance your city and state takes the charge of your payment. Nobody goes with out health care in my country. Our taxes are rather high, two and half months of salary are to be paid for the local and federal taxes. This might seem much, yet provides a parachute for the least fortunate.
Luttjetrut 3 years ago
Germany: my GP nocited something off on my heart and wanted a specialist to have a look at it. Every specialist I called, couldn't give me an appointment within the next 6 months. (Thank God, it was "only" my heart...") When I asked if they knew someone who could see me sooner, they started laughingI So I decided to give it a try in anonther country: called a specialist in the Netherlands and I got an appointment the next week. I had to pay for it by myself, but I thought that could be worth it.
dev mehta 3 years ago
Here in Canada waiting weeks or months to see a medical specialist is normal, just like other countries. However, the more dire your medical condition, the sooner you see the specialist. For example, if your GP suspects stage II cancer, she will schedule the appointment within a week. This is just how medical scheduling works, nothing to do with "socialist" medicine.
Jen Cook 3 years ago
In Canada childbirth averages US$3,195 for a standard delivery and US$5,980 for a C-section. In the United States is US$10,808 per delivery. If a C-section is required the fee goes up to US$16,106. The US spends more covering some people with the current gov't programs than it costs Canada to cover all people per capita. Politicians who tell you that USA can't afford universal are lying, it would save money and lives. I've never waited for a surgery in Canada, we have a longer life expectancy in Canada and I benefit and gladly contribute to those in my community being healthy, mentally and physically. There are some people who get very rich selling health care and insurance in the US and they donate and lobby politicians. Universal drives costs down. I have several cancer survivors in my family and had a cyst with turned out to be benign thankfully, stressful time to say the least and worrying about cost in addition would have broken me.
Laura Maeflower 3 years ago
I'm Canadian. I've had to wait 8-9 hours in the hospital on many occasions due to chronic health issues, and I'll do it again and again cause I never had to pay even a single penny any time.
Eric Pledger 3 years ago
Quick question..This story was about a man upset with the American health care system, right? (Rightfully so) How does universal health care aid in lessening the high demand that his specialist experiences and lessen the time of his wait? That was his main point. I'm all ears and have an open mind, but how does this magically create more doctors? Thus alleviating his main gripe?
RaroaRaroa 3 years ago
Could it be you can't see the specialist sooner because they're booked up that far in advance? They're not going to cancel an appointment with someone with lower level insurance to fit you sooner are they? If there aren't enough specialists for the number of people needing them, then you will wait, regardless of your superior insurance.
RayAnna Wilson 3 years ago (edited)
My dad has diabetes and gets sores on his feet. He went to the doctor to have it treated. Three days later he received a package in the mail. A box of gauze anyone could buy at the store for five dollars. Turns out the Dr's office had a deal with some company to send gauze to patients. Only they don't tell the patient they are being charged for the item they never asked for. The company charged my father's insurance almost five-hundred for a box of gauze. That's an eighty dollar deductible my father refused to pay. I'm so tired of this part of America.
Sagtiya Sieelan 3 years ago
Omg😲.. so much for a 'first world nation'. I never expected this especially on healthcare in USA.
TexasWoman 3 years ago
I've had UHC for 10 years and this has never happened to me. It really depends on how busy your doctor is; UHC can't tell your doctor "see him/her next week."
Arieke 3 years ago
Who ever got it into American heads that a Universal Health plan is Socialist, is an idiot. It's called Social Democratic and is an entirely different thing altogether. In the Netherlands we pay insurance per month, top tier would be around €160,- and can be lower, it's a choice what you want covered, but when something happens there are no additional costs. Need a ride in an ambulance, You'll never see a bill. Need extensive heart surgery, you will never see a bill. Worst that could happen to you is when you need meds, some are not covered so you pay the first €385,- yourself, that's per annum, but it is still a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. And remember boys and girls it's called Social Democratic.......
Brandy Grote 3 years ago (edited)
Another reason to curse Nixon. He allowed health insurance to become for-profit. And everything got worse. I'm very fortunate to live in a city with EIGHTY hospitals, with access to both regular and VA systems. The VA system is a bit backed up, but has VASTLY improved over the years. My health insurance has stepped up. There is a next day requirement for mental health referrals- even "just" for non-emergency office therapy. I can see my dr in a few weeks, but generally get a good answer by phone. I can get in to my specialists within 10 days, but I'm not about to die from what I have. I would expect even faster times for dire needs. I would love Medicare For All, Universal, soshalizm, whatever, if it gives everyone my level of care!
Leodavinci 3 years ago
Wait times (for anything, let alone health care) typically exist because of time and personnel constraints, and little to do with anything else. UHC will not change that. A lot of people are calling for UHC because of the Covid pandemic, but every other country has had to deal with the same issues as the U.S. of too many sick people and not enough doctors, nurses, and facilities. No country was really prepared for Covid.
Kathleen Brewer 3 years ago
A place with 4 hospitals is a town not a city. Anytime I have called for a dr appointment even with a specialist I get an appointment within a couple of days. These commenters must live in BFE if they are waiting that long.
J. Zingler 3 years ago
Universal healthcare now? I live in Germany, we have "Universal Healthcare". Waiting times: ophthalmologist= 1 year +, dermatologist = 1 year +, orthopedist= 1 year + or accident, gp = 3 month. And that was before Corona.
Lucas 3 years ago
Wow. I only need a review of my regular meds and the appointment I made last week is on 1st Feb and that's during covid (be done by phone) - just two weeks. NHS isn't perfect but I've always been able to see a doctor same day if it was urgent and within a fortnight if it wasn't.
Load More Replies... Maris madness 3 years ago
My Dr's wait times are usually 2 months but if I ask to speak to his nurse they get me in withing the week. Maybe try that
Dr. Carlos Dangercat 3 years ago
I'm not sure that universal healthcare would improve wait times. It would probably make them a bit worse. But it would go far in improving the health and income inequalities in US society. I will say that in my experience when there's something imminently life threateningly wrong with you are prioritized for appointments. I knew things were serious when I was on my way to being diagnosed with cancer when my doctor started booking same-week appointments with different specialists on my behalf. Fortunately I am healthy and cancer free today!
Truth Monster 3 years ago
I wholeheartedly agree the American healthcare system is broken. I have medical debt which will likely follow me the rest of my life. Where I back away from the universal healthcare bandwagon is my innate distrust of the government. The government has a habit of overpromising, under-fulfilling, and charging us four times the cost and then shrugging when things go horribly wrong. Here are some examples *Police Forces (Corruption, unnecessary enforcement, etc) *Food stamps (theft ) *Social security (bankruptcy) *housing the homeless *feeding the homeless *those already on Medicare (Ask someone on it how much care they actually get) *Public School Systems (For one of the wealthiest nations, its a disgrace)
JessG 3 years ago
My parents are on Medicare and claim the care is pretty good, but they admit the wait times are ridiculous. I agree with you about the rest of the stuff and the problems with asking for things like socialized medicine from our government is that all of the people that make those decisions are hard core capitalists, and will always choose money over our best interests. So, while I would love socialized medicine, I too am wary of the government
Load More Replies... tuzdayschild 3 years ago
I'm American. My insurance allows me to see a doctor when ever I need to see a doctor. Unscheduled or specialist have a co-pay but it's it's not bad. I have always had the good fortune of having med insurance through my jobs and it's always been pretty good.
Esca Sav 3 years ago
To an extent. My dad had insurance from my mom's job and we paid additional for medicare since he was over 65. That essentially means all his bills were completely covered, but god forbid he wasn't 65 years old when he was diagnosed with gastric cancer and had to go for chemo treatment. We had one of the "good" insurances. Without the secondary healthcare, WE wouldn't have survived. On top of that, my mom is younger. She only has primary healthcare and had to have emergency surgery on her spine. She SPECIFICALLY checked if all her doctors were in-network. Both her surgeon and the hospital were in-network. Several months after the surgery, we get a $96k bill... Why? Because the surgeon called a co-surgeon, a out-of-network surgeon, to help with the surgery while my mom was out cold already on the table. Wait times aren't bad unless you go to an emergency room or see a very popular doctor that has good ratings. Which can take several months to schedule an appointment. Bills? We're f*cked
Load More Replies... Bill 3 years ago
My doctor has quite a few Quebec license plates in his parking lot. All the Canadians talk of endless waits so they drive down to Maine to pay for care(pre COVID)
Lucas 3 years ago
Don't they have private health care as well? In the UK you have the NHS but you can also go private and jump a queue. It still won't cost the prices charged in the US. I have never had to wait for longer than a couple of weeks when things were serious. Months for minor stuff - 4 to be precise but it was something I'd lived with for a while. Also, did you not read the above???
Load More Replies... Mike Crow 3 years ago
How about conservatives cutting medical funding and their mismanagement of healthcare systems. All they care about is money and kickbacks from insurance companies.
Load More Replies... Alexis draskinis 3 years ago
I dont see how this is any different than when an insurance company denies/rejects treatments for either age span. It happens here all the time...and we still pay more $$ for them to do it
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