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You think its expensive now, just wait until its free
I don't know any country that offers free healthcare. There are many, many countries that offer universal healthcare and/or single payer. But that is different, and everyone know that is not free.
I don't know any country that offers free healthcare. There are many, many countries that offer universal healthcare and/or single payer. But that is different, and everyone know that is not free.
All industrial nations use block negotiations. The VA also does that. So I don't buy that arguement.
Nobody with any common sense does. It's been well known for decades the big pharma companies pay far more for marketing and advertising to Americans then they do on research. It would seem they know their audience well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruSan
Nobody with any common sense does. It's been well known for decades the big pharma companies pay far more for marketing and advertising to Americans then they do on research. It would seem they know their audience well.
Also even when drugs were discovered years ago, the rights are sold off, and companies debrand them and relaunch them at vastly inflated prices.
There are numerous examples of what is known as price gouging in the US, a well documented recent case in the US being that of Daraprim.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Guardian
It is not uncommon for companies to use inventive interpretations of government regulations and loopholes in the law to corner the market for certain drugs, especially ones that were developed a long time ago and have only a limited market, then relaunch them at higher prices they believe the market will tolerate.
Nobody with any common sense does. It's been well known for decades the big pharma companies pay far more for marketing and advertising to Americans then they do on research. It would seem they know their audience well.
It isn't just big Pharma companies. Insurance companies are in it up to their eyeballs. Add to this corporate hospitals . It's a money making machine.
Not even a little surprised.
There is a reason why medical tourism is such a big market. Tourism too countries outside of the USA.
In my case an MRI of my lower back, a CT scan of my sinuses, I saw 2 specialists and a GP, all done in 1 day, no followups, no needless back and forth, no middleman. Paid for out of pocket was $400 bucks. That included 6 medications. I had a raging sinus infection that seemed to confuse my American doctor. Evidently Claratin 24 hour won't cure sinus infections.
When I went to the hospital I checked in and explained what my issues were. They made a copy of my passport and verified I would be able to pay for services. I was assigned a nurse whose only job was to take me where ever I needed to go. In other words minimize my frustration.
I saw the ENT first. The ENT did a brief interview and sent me for a CT. On return my CT results were already waiting. The Doc numbed the sinuses and put a camera up the nose. Took pictures. Then asked what my US doctor was doing for me. I told her Claritin 24 hour. The doctor shook her head and quietly explained that Claritin would not help me. She prescribed 2 heavy duty anti-biotics and something to dry the sinuses out.
Next up was a general practitioner . I figured while I was there might as well have all my ailments addressed. He examined me did blood work and prescribed some medication. I honestly dont recall their purpose. This was 3 years ago.
Finally a Back specialist because my low back always hurts. He ordered an MRI, 1.5 Hours later I was back in his office. MY MRI results were waiting for me. With only an estimated 80% chance of improving my condition the good doctor didn't recommend surgery.
As I checked out and paid for the services I was handed a CD. It contained everything that was done that day including results and copies of CT and MRI.
All for $400, done in a day.
I checked with my insurance My out of pocket in the USA for the above would have been north of a grand after insurance.
There is much we can learn from other countries.
That's because the Canadian health care system has monopoly pricing and thus gets cheaper rates for it.
Thus, the drug companies force more of the RND costs on us and the Canadians (and others) ride on our coat-tails for the newest, most effective treatments.
Any questions?
P.S. I've worked in insurance pricing for decades....most of the country has no idea the extent that they are subsidizing others either internally or domestically.
The companies who process the claims in behalf of the insurance companies are raking in billions, and the claim process is computerized, so its not like they have 1000s of people sitting at desks processing them. Its money out of thin air. This is what happens when money is the primary motive in HC.
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