This is when you know reform is needed:

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

The Economist praises the Swedish health care system over the American on issues of incentives.

Article linked here:

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13899647

Also....an image worth keeping in mind for defenders of the broken system:



Now, there's something wrong with this picture. See if you can tell me what it is.....

X-posted from my own LJ.

Comments

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

I would argue that regular examinations and preventive care are what drive up the cost of insurance. At my age I am glad(?) that is included in my insurance program, but 20 years ago I would have prefered "catastopic" insurance, and paid for the other stuff myself....using the moderately decent example of car insurance. Would I have saved and invested the difference, probably not.

[dwer.livejournal.com]

You could argue that, but you'd be wrong. Preventative care and regular checkups are what keep costs DOWN, because they find problems early.

Which is cheaper, regular checkups of diet and acid-reflux medicine, or surgery for ulcers?

Which is cheaper, regular out-patient mental health checkups, or commitment to a state institution?

Which is cheaper, regular treatment of asthma symptoms or emergency room treatment of asthma attacks?

What's cheaper, regular treatment for the symptoms of heart disease, adjustments to diet and cholesterol drugs, or quadruple bypasses?

[geezer-also.livejournal.com]

Probably.