Prescription Medical Discount Cards?

[Tom]

Careful what you wish for when looking at healthcare in other countries. I paid UK taxes for many years, part of which funded the NHS (National Health Service), which has been acclaimed by some of our politicians here in the US. The NHS has been broken for a number of years; Currently, there are 8 million people on waiting lists for procedures (that's over 10% of the population) with no light at the end of the tunnel. GP (family doctor) appointments are very difficult to get for many. Several months ago a senior relative fell, breaking bones, and waited in an ambulance outside the hospital for 15 hours before being admitted.

Hospitals have staff who spend at least part of their day shuffling patients between different care levels and even between hospitals to open up a bed or two for new patients.

The new UK government just announced a £40B ($52B) tax increase, including £26B ($34B) additional funding for the NHS.

I have numerous examples from my own experience and that of relatives that show how the system has been broken for a long time.

 

[Professor David]

Careful what you wish for when looking at healthcare in other countries. I paid UK taxes for many years, part of which funded the NHS (National Health Service), which has been acclaimed by some of our politicians here in the US. The NHS has been broken for a number of years; Currently, there are 8 million people on waiting lists for procedures (that's over 10% of the population) with no light at the end of the tunnel. GP (family doctor) appointments are very difficult to get for many. Several months ago a senior relative fell, breaking bones, and waited in an ambulance outside the hospital for 15 hours before being admitted.

Hospitals have staff who spend at least part of their day shuffling patients between different care levels and even between hospitals to open up a bed or two for new patients.

The new UK government just announced a £40B ($52B) tax increase, including £26B ($34B) additional funding for the NHS.

I have numerous examples from my own experience and that of relatives that show how the system has been broken for a long time.

The US health care system is the most expensive per capita and our system doesn't even crack the top ten in health care ratings for developed countries. Usually, we barely crack the top 20 in most reputable rating sources. Spending more for less doesn't work for me. Projected cost increases for our current system are unsustainable for future generations and possibly even for us old guys/gals.

Glad to hear your solutions to this major problem. Please enlighten me.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/well-developed-public-health-system

 

[Tom]

Glad to hear your solutions to this major problem. Please enlighten me.

I don't recall suggesting I had the solution.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/well-developed-public-health-system

That report is out of date. e.g. the suggestion of political stability in the UK; The UK recently had the biggest political upset in many years and, in the short time (4 months) the Labour party has been in office, they've lost the support of many Brits. I can't/won't speak for the accuracy of reporting on the other countries.

 

[Tulecreeper]

The basic Medicare package is the same for everyone. Of course, you can get supplements, etc... Medicare for All would work like Medicare. You sound like one of those people that want the federal government to stay out of their Medicare. In Medicare for All one could potentially get additional supplements as needed.

I am of the opinion that the reason Medicare is so buggered up is precisely because the govt is running the show. The govt has never been in the business of making money, only spending yours and mine. It's just not in their long-range plan to turn a profit as long as they are only spending other people's money. Turn Medicare over to a private entity and watch how the system changes within 3 years.

 

[rvlifer]

Turn Medicare over to a private entity and watch how the system changes within 3 years.

you mean let them run it like pharmaceuticals, the indiana turnpike, california energy (enron), chicago parking meters (prices went up 400%), nursing homes, and prisons?

The govt might not be the most efficient but there are some things that should not be run by for profit entities

 

[Professor David]

I am of the opinion that the reason Medicare is so buggered up is precisely because the govt is running the show. The govt has never been in the business of making money, only spending yours and mine. It's just not in their long-range plan to turn a profit as long as they are only spending other people's money. Turn Medicare over to a private entity and watch how the system changes within 3 years.

Medicare works well. The point is to NOT turn Medicare over to a private entity.

 

[Professor David]

you mean let them run it like pharmaceuticals, the indiana turnpike, california energy (enron), chicago parking meters (prices went up 400%), nursing homes, and prisons?

The govt might not be the most efficient but there are some things that should not be run by for profit entities

Exactly. I’m I missing something?

 

[rvlifer]

Exactly. I’m I missing something?

That being too antigovt and being an anarchist doesnt work?

 

[rvlifer]

Privitization might work if there was a way to keep greed from affecting it

 

[Professor David]

That being too antigovt and being an anarchist doesnt work?

I agree. A Medicare for All system would be managed/operated by the federal gov. (like Medicare, the VA, SS, etc.. ) as all other developed countries health care systems. The infrastructure (hospitals, docs, nurses, etc...) would likely stay private like the current Medicare system...but unlike the VA health care system.

 

[rvlifer]

In general i believe that the amount of social programs and govt assistance should be the amount we can afford and that the govt needs to live within its means. That would mean that spending would increase during economic booms and less when things arent going so well.

Given that the US spends so much more than other countries on medical care you would think it would work better than it does.

Same with spending on the military but the US military is the best in the world. We should be getting the same results on medical care as we do on the military

 

[gwinger]

Medicare works well. The point is to NOT turn Medicare over to a private entity.

There were some people who wanted to get the Gov't out of the Medicare business and invest the money in private entities. We all know where that would go.
We also have the ACA, not perfect but an option for low income people. Plus Medicaid for people who qualify.
As far as the ones that fill the hospitals for free care, they know that a hospital cannot turn them away.
I worked at a hospital for over 30 years and saw many come in for things that were not really urgent. Colds, flu and other non emergency treatment since they could not see a PCP.
I saw one come in with 'back pains' and wanted prescription pain relievers. They were given tylenol and handed a piece of paper to take to a pharmacy. All hell broke lose.