I’ve never understood why America doesn’t have a decent health care system. And then America voted for Trump, and everyone appears shocked at what he has done…
There is something very wrong with American attitudes.
replies(10):
There is something very wrong with American attitudes.
That's a large reason why there is no major change in this area, even though one is sorely needed.
Personally, I'd just open Medicare up to anyone who wants it by paying some additional fee each month and see how that goes, but that's too simple for most politicians I think.
Most Americans can get pretty good care. It also tends to be painful to get. You don't just go to the doctor. You visit some horrible web site clearly built by someone who doesn't have to use it, go through the list of in-network providers, pick one, call, find out that the list is out of date and they don't accept your insurance.... And then come the surprise bills. The office coded your lab work wrong so it doesn't count as preventive, pay up, or spend an hour on the phone correcting it. You offhandedly told the doctor you're feeling tired lately during your annual physical, and they give you some tips on getting better sleep. Then you get a bill because that counts as a consultation for a specific medical problem, so your free annual physical now requires you to pay a copay.
God forbid you have a major incident. Nobody can ever tell you how much things will cost. You'll be dealing with bills for months, and you won't be able to trust that any of them are legitimate.
The actual health providers are usually OK. The health insurance is godawful.
Maybe they're differentiating their care providers and insurer, but that's a level of critical thinking I wouldn't expect.