There's also the issue of waiting times - you might need care somewhat urgently, but need to either wait for multiple months or pay (or hope that when the issue becomes more immediately life-threatening they can handle it in time). Public healthcare isn't perfect, and at least in many places still needs a lot of work.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 hours ago

I always dislike this take because it pretends the US doesn't have this exact issue. I've known people with less than ideal insurance who had very few doctors to pick from in-network and would take months to get an appointment.

Long wait times still happens in the US. Just like it can happen in public healthcare.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

The good thing is that it creates a great competition for the privates. I have a very good insurance for 1K a year. No extra payments. Can go as much as I want. Many locations included. For "small" or "quick", I go to the private one. Saves me time and reduces waiting times for public.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Pedant rant:

I take issue with 'needs a lot of work', though it is common phrasing. It promotes the false idea that 'business is more efficient' by making it sound like the public administrators are too dumb to know how to do their job.

The real issue, in most jurisdictions, is that it needs more and stable funding, and less political interference.

[–] CleoTheWizard 5 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Well that and not to mention that politicians abroad do the exact same thing they do in the US. I know the British for instance have a Conservative Party that have repeatedly attacked their healthcare system in order to make privatized insurance seem better.

And then the issues caused by a lack of funding get used in the US to say “SEE! This system doesn’t work!”

Which is the logical equivalent of watching your friend baking pies with not enough filling and deciding to instead pay 4x the price for a pie that you won’t even get your promised slice of. Oh and the pie you get occasionally is made with the meat of other people who were also promised a pie and paid for it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 hour ago

yes, and the latest "conservative" assailants on UK (maybe mostly English) health system wear red roses on their lapels.

They all see a giant unmilked cash cow wandering around in a short skirt.