As I postpone my studies for the day
I thought I'd throw this out to you folks.
The US spent some 1.8 trillion dollars for health care (this number is all inclusive) last year. We are by far the world's biggest spenders in health care. With all that $$ spent, how do we fare?
18th in the world for infant mortality
16th in the world for life expectancy
37th in the world for
overall health according to the WHO.
(Number 1: France. Canada was ~13th)
That's not good.
On top of that, there are ~45 million who are uninsured, 20 million on Medicaid (which doctors are now rejecting because the reimbursment is so low the docs can't stay afloat if they accept Medicaid
) Let's not forget the underinsured - those who do have health insurance with poor coverage and huge deductables (Like me... Although it works well for me cause I don't go to the doc too often and I really just want some catestrophic coverage).
So let me ask this: Have your health care costs increased? Has your health insurance cost raised? If so, has your coverage improved?
So what I'm getting at here is this: Why do we spend so much yet it's so damn ineffective? Sure we have awesome MRIs and amazing technology, but is it reaching enough people?
As far as health insurance companies -
they take the health right out of health insurance. F(#k them and all they stand for. It's aimed at people with jobs, education, etc. Who's healthier - people with jobs or the unemployed? People with an education or people without? And who can afford insurance - people with or without jobs? It's an awesome business strategy, but it does nothing to increase health. Want proof? Look at reimbursment for education (i.e. patient education from a doctor, diabetes educator, dietician, etc). People stay with their insurance company for an average of 3 years, so why should an insurance company pay for something that another company will probably have to pay for 3 years down the road?
I'd like to hear some thoughts, comments, and suggestions about our health care system. Canucks, please join in. I'm learning more about your health care system's pros and cons.
