As an American you should be vary wary of commenting on other countries - 8 out of 10 times you will sound ignorant and stupid. I'm giving you this advice because I like you
You guys should take the swiss health system as a model: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_427691.html Its not a socialised health system, but its far better than the US one. Everyone has a health insurance and no one dies because he has no money. And its all in privat hands but the state has it under tied control. So you don't pay too much for your treatment (like in the movie where that woman paid 120$ for something what cost 5 cents elsewhere) And you pay for your insurance yourself. And the average cost is half of the US one. But read the article if you wanna know more. And in my opinion the question should be "Are you happy with the current system?"
In reality we have a socialized medical system in the U.S. since I am paying off huge amounts of medical bills for family members right now. The medical system is pretty much based on paying more to cover the costs of those who cannot pay their bills it seems. Not complaining, just saying that it is what it is. Saying and claiming that people don't get any service when they have no money and are in need of medical care is wrong.
yeah but they get raped on the cost, it costs more for the uninsured to get the same services as the insured
Believe me, I know from first hand experience how bills add up when you're not insured. Same thing with credit. When you don't have it, you wind up paying a lot more. But on the other hand many of those in debt wind up being promoted, get full coverage and are able to dig themselves out of their hole. I can't sit here and complain about how the world works. It's a free market. I don't believe that forcing people to pay huge amounts of taxes to cover others is as good as an idea as having a free market where many organizations are dedicated to helping those in need. In the U.S. there is more help from private organizations than anywhere else. I'm sorry, but I know too many people in Europe who have made a career out of freeloading, and by law they have the right to do that. Everybody praises their system. Yes, in Europe you can easily spend your life not working and still have a nice place to live and full coverage for your medical needs. Imagine this happening in the U.S.? Do you think people will be appreciative or take advantage and hurt the economy? This may sound cold hearted, but it really isn't. I don't mind covering, or rather helping cover needs, I just know that I myself don't seek medical assistance unless I need it and having grown up in Europe I have learned that unless you require some sort of effort from those who need service, the system is bound to be abused. Mike