Is the US healthcare system best in the world?

[DrAdams]

Yes

No

[beefcakebradybatson]

As my high school buddy Steve Kovac used to say,"Surely you jest." Yanks have perhaps the lowest life expectancy of First World countries (though re-electing Fat Boy makes the U. S. the world's richest Third World country !!!) because health outcomes depend on the financial situation of the individual, not their needs. Also, U. S. "health care" cost have SEPTUPLED (increased by seven times) the inflation rate since 1960, making even middle-class people likely not to carry health care insurance. Also, insurance sleazebags (who likely voted for Trump), NOT the government as with every other developed country, set health care rates so can they rob clients, especially poor, sick and elderly ones.

[jshm2]

The US is the only developed country in the world which does not have a healthcare system, only healthcare businesses.

Meaning, the quality of your treatment and care is subject to cost, and business decisions.

I don't know about you, but if going into a hospital for treatment, you should not be "shopping" for how good a cure you want.

[Gwendoline]

Yes. If you have money. It cost $12,000 when I gave birth in the US but if I had been in the UK it would have cost the equivalent of $2000 and we wouldn't have even had to pay that so US citizens are being over charged by $10,000.

[katiesmuff]

If it isn't I don't know of one better, however I have no idea about some of the smaller European countries healthcare systems.

[bobby_bush_eater]

It's certainly not the best but anyone saying it's the worst is blatantly ignorant to how much the world benefits from the investment and research we do due to capital investment which other places can't afford at the same scale.

If you're wealthy, it's the best in the world. If you're poor, it depends on your state and local hospitals, they vary greatly, it also varies with your job. Any state or federal government jobs have great insurance, the military does too.

It can be bad and outrageously expensive and the insurance setup currently is exploitative.

[Syntosi]

That is ignoring the point that USA could invest as much, if not more money into research even if they pay less for healthcare. USA's private healthcare system is not particularly efficient in that it does not transfer a large share of its profits into further DND and medical infrastructure development.

The alternatives are not private American healthcare vs no healthcare at all or no research at all. The private healthcare sector is not required for what USA already has or even to improve on it and get something even better.

And yes, if you are rich in USA you can get some of the best healthcare in the world depending on where exactly in USA you live or travel. Wealth still does not buy you teleportation technology.

[Syntosi]

Meant to say RND instead of DND. I guess I got withdrawal symptoms from not buying any d20's in a while.

[bobby_bush_eater]

@Syntosi It could in theory, but that is simply not how the system works currently, nor is it how it started.

I agree it isn't perfect and is naturally exploitative, but a lot of Americans want free healthcare and not a lot of Americans like the federal government getting more control and spending more money en masse.

The fact is the quality is the best in the world for the rich; no system is perfect, and most poor people get the short end of the stick in every healthcare system. Also, they estimate 7% of US adults do not have insurance, so the overwhelming majority of people have some type of coverage.

[Anonymous]

When I got a simple dislocation (no fracture), I got different PAs. A subsequent PA commented that he didn't agree with other PA keeping me in a brace so long as it would impact recovery. Goal of US Healthcare is not to solve the problem, but to squeeze as much money out of an issue as possible.

[Opinion Owner]

That is also why you get a PA, not the actual Doctor.

[AviatorTom]

Technically, it's one of the best, if not the best. Foot-wide, it is very expensive, compared to other countries, which makes it available to fewer people.

[zagor]

Depends on if you are rich or poor.

My relatives in Canada buy US health insurance because it can be such a pain in the ass getting to the doctor there (and not just for hemorrhoids). At least the ones who can afford it.

[Anonymous]

This is in the wrong category... Should be in the comedy section.

We use most of the prescriptions drugs world wide and are still the fattest with the 50th or so highest lifespan, and highest cost.

[WestofNowhere]

Amongst the best medical care in the world. Getting it though is like trying to empty the Pacific with a tablespoon.

[exitseven]

Yes, all the rich people from other countries fly into the US when they have health problems.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Quality probably so. But the U. S. doesn't offer universal Healthcare so it isn't the best system in the world.

[RedInnocent69]

Yes and no. It has the best facilities, but access and expenses are the worst

[Notherndude84]

The actual care is good
The delivery of care is beyond terrible.

[msc545]

In terms of quality, ti is very good. In terms of accessibility, it is horrible.

[Anonymous]

At the top end, probably yes. For the rest--almost certainly not.

[Vegasrunner]

I'm assuming this is a joke?

[DrAdams]

No it’s a serious question

[Vegasrunner]

@DrAdams In a lot of ways you could make a better argument that it's the worst in the world. Are you referring to the types if medicine available or the actual system?

[DrAdams]

The actual system. Which I think personally is unrivaled across the world. It’s cost effective and delivers for patients.

[DrPepper12]

Lol. You actually called it a "system"!! 🤣

[douride2]

Probably not the best.

[Anonymous]

Hard to think of anyone who does it worse.

[Quigly]

Healthcare is wall street care.

[maj1nall]

Hahahahahaha absoluetly yes

[Anonymous]

You are kidding.