Does America have the best healthcare system?

Question

wolfcat87 · Accepted Answer

It depends on which part you are comparing.

Insurance costs are a pain, but we pay lower taxes than most countries.

Emergency response time is pretty excellent in many areas. A helicopter will reach my house in 5 minutes, local EMS in 5 minutes, and city EMS in 15 minutes since I live out of town.

Medical treatment options are the best here compared to anywhere. Their costs can be pretty intense depending on what they are.

Getting a doctor is rough, because our doctors are the most educated in the world. That makes their numbers fewer, and we are attempting to make up the difference with doctor supervised physician's assistants and more educated nurses who know nearly as much as doctors. There are very few medical schools in the U. S., so few can be trained at once. There are off shore options that are cheaper and easier to get into, but most people won't choose to attend them because of the distance.

Doctors aren't that well paid compared to the debt and career set backs they face while attending college. Some get around it by joining the military or signing contracts to work for specific places for 5 years after, but those involved being tied down and limiting your earning potential for years.

All of the medical shortages lead to long wait times unless you memorize which places are less busy and when and have flexible insurance.

Overall, it's a system that's great but has major flaws as well. There's no way to fix those flaws without actually lowering the great parts to average or lower. So, keeping it close to the way it is will be the only thing keeping us from getting exactly what everyone else gets and stunting innovation when it comes to medical research and new medicines.

I would rate it better than most, but I can't say it's the best. It's competitive for Top 10 if we can fix costs. We were ranked 4th in the world and dropped in the past few years.

https://freopp.org/united-states-11-in-the-2022-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation-7175b47ab5d7

rosemilk · Accepted Answer

nope. you go in debt here. but at least you'll be seen at a reasonable time. unlike Canada. where it takes months. but then, the doctors aren't all that great here, so you likely won't be helped with the best service.

RavVid · Accepted Answer

I think why that is claimed - and reasonably - is because a lot of innovation happens in the US so the cutting edge is probably more accessible in the US..

Access to medical care is better elsewhere. I can see a GP for zero cost. Our gov't negotiates with big pharma on our behalf to get the best deal on medicines. If I need to see a specialist and I can't wait it will cost me a fair amount but it is subsidized. To see an eye specialist recently cost $150 after a $100 subsidy.

Had I been willing to wait it would have cost me 0.

We take the view that there is a greater societal cost of poor health outcomes. In my case there was a risk of blindness occurring. Australia is better off ensuring I can work productively for a long time to come at a total cost of $400 over 4 years. That money will be recouped in taxes many times over. It is a no-brainer for the gov't to do this calculation.

HOWEVER all Western countries find most of the cost is in the high cost tail for example drug addicts and the elderly. I don't know the real numbers but it is like the 90/10 rule. 10% of people consume 90% of the cost. You'll get the idea without substantiated numbers.

patrick994 · Accepted Answer

I think the American healthcare system has obvious strengths, such as medical innovation and access to advanced treatments. However, I cannot ignore the challenges related to accessibility and affordability of care. The lack of a universal healthcare system can lead to disparities in medical care and many people face difficulties due to high costs and limited access. I believe the resources and expertise are there to provide excellent healthcare for all, but perhaps the way the system is structured needs to be reconsidered to ensure greater equity and accessibility for all citizens.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Nope, they don't. Our City has Penn Mon Valley Hospital no better than when they had the other name to their Hospital, Mon Valley Hospital. We have many doctors can't be trusted. You go down to Jefferson Hospital / Allegheny Health Network and treatment is better.

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

My insurance caps my annual expenses at 4k, which I otherwise would always exceed by a factor of 10x plus. I can see any specialist I want/need by no later than the end of the week if not tomorrow. As someone who needs a lot of them, I'll take that over Canada's (or the VA's) six-month wait any day of the week.

lightbulb27 · Answer

I say no.

It's hard to get a Dr. now

It's expensive

It's based upon drugs, which are a mask.

We may have the best ER and diagnosis, but the solutions are corrupted.

We may have some of the best solutions... but Europe in some cases, has had better.

goaded · Answer

Are you joking? Organisations that bring medical care to African countries also operate in the United States.

Sirenboobzilla · Answer

We have great medical professionals. But our healthcare system is utter garbage. Hospitals, insurance and large pharmaceutical companies reap all the reward off of people who just need good care.

Levin · Answer

It's not so good if it bankrupts you to use it, or they 'don't cover existing conditions'. Which means you're fucked, right? I guess if you're well off it's good.

Jessica405 · Answer

I think UK is best in the woorld. Back in December, I had an eye op under a GA. Staff and consultants were amazing. All free at point of use. Paid for by general taxation.

wiltingrosepetal · Answer

you're joking 😭

DarkWinterNights · Answer

It used to. When I was younger it was better and cheaper. Now it’s more expensive, and the level of care isn’t even half as good as it used to be. All most doctors care about is treating the symptoms.

milyjohn · Answer

Canadians laugh at our healthcare system, but when push comes to shove, if they can afford it, they all come to America.

abc3643 · Answer

If you can afford it, yes. So, that's like 1% of the population.

exitseven · Answer

Yes, no matter what liberals say it is the best. Rich people all over the world come to the US when they have a serious problem.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

The worst. Its the most expensive one and the care it provides its mediocre at best.

Theodoricus · Answer

I leave the word to mein f. hrer.

Anonymous · Answer

What kind of dumbass question is this. The whole world knows it stinks.

Simslover92 · Answer

Nope which is why I want to move to a country with free healthcare like Canada.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

All we have to do is to get the government to not accept the lobbying (bribery) from big pharma and letting them get away with their anti-consumer practices.