The reason the system works so well is that it puts decisions in the hands of patients and doctors rather than of government bureaucrats and insurers.The state’s role is to provide a safety net for the few people unable to save enough to pay their way, to subsidize public hospitals, and to fund preventative health campaigns-The American
via Carpe Diem
any questions?
3 Outbursts:
But, but, but...Singapore isn't in Europe!!!
Everyone knows, our only hope is to copy the socialist systems of Europe!
The people can't be trusted to spend their own money wisely. They need government to make all their decisions for them! ;-)
True, Singapore isn't in Europe, but some of the European stats still make ours look dim. Both point to the deficiencies in our system. Maybe we are so enveloped in theoretical debates that we aren't actually looking towards solutions that will produce better results. Seems to be another fantastic dividend from our brilliant two party/winner take all political system.
Singapore's stats make Europe and Canada's look dim.
No doubt, our system is a mess and needs some massive changes.
I think the direction of those changes needs to be in the direction of less government control and interference rather than more.
As much as possible medical decision making, including the financial aspects of it, needs to be left in the hands of those affected by those decisions, i.e. the doctors and patients.
Singapore has a system where this is much more the case, and the results are not really very surprising at all.
Do we/can we simply copy their system exactly? Probably not.
Will copying their system exactly bring a panacea to our country? Highly doubtful.
That said, there's is definately a model that is worth looking at as a framework toward making beneficial changes to our system.
Of course in order for such changes to stand any sort of a chance here, civil liability reform is an absolute necessity. (Excuse me while I put my asbestos suit on as I suspect this last commment will likely draw the flames of indignant plaintiff's attorneys).