The Observation Deck

Lannigan and Malone interviewed an American woman who was diagnosed with cancer while in Australia. Apparently, Australia funds an effective public option at about 1.5 percent of national revenue.

America has one of the least efficient healthcare systems in the modern world. for some reason. no matter how private sector it is. it is too late now. it is institutional inertia.

ryan costa wrote:Lannigan and Malone interviewed an American woman who was diagnosed with cancer while in Australia. Apparently, Australia funds an effective public option at about 1.5 percent of national revenue.

America has one of the least efficient healthcare systems in the modern world. for some reason. no matter how private sector it is. it is too late now. it is institutional inertia.

Do you honestly believe that having the US government take over health care is going to make it more efficient??

Last I heard, no one was taking over health care....

Just making sure it was done right....

Back to the banjo...

Why do you guys hate America so much, Roy? There isn't anything the Australian government can do that the US government can't do better.

ryan costa wrote:Lannigan and Malone interviewed an American woman who was diagnosed with cancer while in Australia. Apparently, Australia funds an effective public option at about 1.5 percent of national revenue.

America has one of the least efficient healthcare systems in the modern world. for some reason. no matter how private sector it is. it is too late now. it is institutional inertia.

Austrailia spends about 10% of its GDP on health care. The US spends about 15%.

This is a nice snap shot: http://www.visualeconomics.com/healthca ... 010-03-01/

Health care in the US is more expensive for a lot of reasons:

Doctors and nurses are paid twice as much in the US: http://www.worldsalaries.org/generalphysician.shtml


Almost ALL of the medical innovation and new drug treatments originates in the United States:

http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=6699

So... Cut nurses salaries by 60% and end all medical research and innovation and we spend a lot less than other countries. Problem solved.

In a sense that is the foundation of all nationalized systems. They feed on the accomplishments of past generations, spending the legacy built by others. During the two generations or so it takes to consume the legacy every seems just fine. In the third generation things start to fall apart but by then the original planners are long gone.

One advantage the Europeans have had is that they could feed off America. Once America becomes Europeanized that option is no longer available.