Business Week- France Offers Better Health Care for Less Money

insane man · Jul 9, 2007

Meanwhile, every available indicator says that in terms of quality, access to needed care and health outcomes, the U.S. health care system does worse, not better, than other advanced countries — even Britain, which spends only about 40 percent as much per person as we do.

Yes, Canadians wait longer than insured Americans for elective surgery. But over all, the average Canadian’s access to health care is as good as that of the average insured American — and much better than that of uninsured Americans, many of whom never receive needed care at all.

And the French manage to provide arguably the best health care in the world, without significant waiting lists of any kind. There’s a scene in “Sicko” in which expatriate Americans in Paris praise the French system. According to the hard data they’re not romanticizing. It really is that good.
Click to expand...

krugman, nyt

wnes · Jul 9, 2007

On today's Fresh Air, NPR's Terry Gross had an extensive interview with a University of North Carolina researcher on U.S. health care, Michael Moore's documentary Sicko, and how several other industrial nations are doing.

Very informative interview. You can hear its entirety here by clicking the button.

DonkeyMagic said:

But my experiences in america have always been good, so whats the need for change?
Click to expand...

Your experience may not mean much if you have been (relatively) healthy.

Master Baiter · Jul 9, 2007

thadeus said:

I have type 1 diabetes. I need insulin to stay healthy/alive. Unless there is some medical breakthrough, I will always need insulin. If a non-diabetic takes insulin, it will likely kill him. It has no recreational value. But, if my prescription refills run out, and I have none left, I still need to visit a doctor to get a prescription before I can get more from the pharmacy. This could be a problem if I realize, late Friday night, that my insulin is gone.

I'd certainly have a bit more peace of mind if I could just get it myself without spending the cash and the time for a doctor's visit. My last two visits to the doctor have involved me walking in and saying, "Hello. I'm diabetic. I take these two types of insulin. I need a refill on my prescription. Thanks, bye."
Click to expand...

I totally agree. I have asthma. My son has asthma. We both take preventative meds and need inhalers. It isn't like this medicine is that big of a deal, but we have to do the same exact thing.

We should be able to get an inhaler if we need one and have run out.

Forums

Business Week- France Offers Better Health Care for Less Money

insane man Member

wnes Contributing Member

Master Baiter Member

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!