Why do Americans think Europe has free healthcare?

[RobEurope]

Its true that there exists many different forms of healthcare systems in Europe. If you are not signed up with them you pay full price for the healthcare you get.

In Belgium patients with lung disease who are non smokers get priority over smokers (same for many sicknesses). Free healthcare won't work in America because all the freedom and liberty nonsense Americans have.

You see our healthcare ain't free cowboys.

[NaultD]

I'm Alaskan native and i do get free healthcare with the Alaskan for profit corporation Doyon. I also have stock shares on Doyon and get a dividend check every year.

Alaska residents also gets a yearly dividend from the trans Alaskan pipeline for oil. Basically all the oil taxes the state gets should go to the people directly.

What's crazy to me is multiple private, for profit corporations* in alaska give better health care to there shareholders then American tax payers.

*these for profit corporations like Doyon, North Slope a couple others in alaska are sudo sovereign land within the state. It's a little weird within the state but nothing prohibited the federal government couldn't copy for the larger country and be better at.

[NaultD]

Europe is free at the point of service. In the USA at the ER just off the ambulance you will be shaken down cognitive or not all information to pay for transportation.

On top of that. This bill of $1000's could be responsible for the person calling emergency services if the person in danger rejects help. So it's in the economic intrest of all amaricans to completely ignore to call emergency help for our neighbors.

[DryGermanGuy]

„Sudo“? Are you a Linux nerd? 😳

[NaultD]

@DryGermanGuy that's the way they describe it.

[DryGermanGuy]

I'm fairly certain the word you're actually looking for, is "pseudo".

[Cubus]

As someone who lives in Europe - nope, it's not free because you pay it in your taxes which are higher than in USA. And one more thing - here if you have a cancer you have to wait a few months for a surgery - in USA you can get it done next day. So believe me - you have it better without universal Medicare.

[RobEurope]

Okay if you say so.

[Anonymous]

Health care is never free. However, when it’s managed by the government, costs can be controlled. In the US, we have the most expensive health care on the planet and it barely cracks the top 20 in overall quality. Most Americans have employer based coverage and that high cost is figured into the price of goods and services. We’re already paying through the nose for each other’s care. The consumer is getting a better deal in Europe.

[Anonymous]

Because usually it doesn't cost anything out of pocket. In the USA it can be thousands out of pocket for basic things.

[exitseven]

Everyone says how great the healthcare is in Canada. If you needed elective surgery you might wait years before you get it. You could be dead by then.
I needed a total hip replacement. I got in to see the surgeon in 3 weeks and two weeks after that I got the operation. I paid a 20 dollar co pay and that was it.

[CloudMassacre]

I’d still rather have that then have to pay $740 dollars for a psychiatrist to ask me questions and not listen to me for about 14 minutes and prescribing me two medications without really telling me anything about them

[RobEurope]

Im in psychiatry right now. Its €6 a day.

[AviatorTom]

Two main reasons...
1. Some countries in Eurooe do have free health care, Sweden for example
2. Liberals tell Americans that Europe has free health care because it supports their socialism agenda

[SlightlyEccentric]

It's not free if you have such healthcare but your paychecks are noticeably smaller.

[AviatorTom]

@SlightlyEccentric Agreed. Its "free" in the sense that you don't have to pay when you go to the health provider.

[BeMuse]

Most people understand you pay very high taxes to get government mandated healthcare. It's not appealing to most of us.

[BCA6010]

Better question: why do people (especially Americans) believe there's a such thing as "free" stuff?

[Anonymous]

There is no such thing as free health care anywhere, it's either paid by the patient or the tax payer.

[RobEurope]

Lol, in Belgium you are signed in an independent fund, which you pay every 3 months. From this your healthcare is paid. You dont pay government.

[Opinion Owner]

But you still pay. It's like having insurance. I pay for insurance here in the states, which means I generally pay nothing to see my doctor, but it still costs me monthly

[RobEurope]

Well thats how it works in Belgium. Just saying.

[Opinion Owner]

No disagreement. What I'm saying is it's never actually free, someone has to cover the bill, like in your case you pay into a fund, in my case I pay insurance, in Canada it's the tax payer that pays.

[IsoUser]

To be perfectly honest I don't actually know what health care systems or insurancs are available for individuals and families

[ArtemisSilver]

Surviving is overrated.