Hiya John,


>Doug
>
>We say that Healthcare is "free" to the user in a socialised system because that eliminates one of the major barriers to quality healthcare for all citizens.

Ahhh.. So, if I say the moon is made of chees all we need to do is figure out a way to get it here. <g> Personally I think the Emperor is NOT wearing any clothes. <g>

IOW, saying something is "free" doesn't automatically make it so it seems to me. It is most certainly NOT free in fact. The cost is spread around.

The whole issue IMO revolves around the relationship between the cost and the efficient useage of the monies extracted by that cost. Candidly I'd have absolutely nothing against a socialized system if (and it has not been proven by factual history that I am aware of) one could demonstrate that quality went up in such a system rather than down.

>Such care is paid for by tax, but take it from me that my taxed healthcare "cost" in a socialised medicine is a fraction of what it is when I am in the US. That goes for me and my staff.

What about quality issues? IOW, in New Zealand if you have a need for some minor surgery, say, an ingrown toenail, how long must you wait (queue? <g>)? I have heard many horror stories of folks with heart related issues or mild stoke related issues in, say, England or Sweden, who are basically told to go home as the "system" will not treat them. Also, how is the dental system in England compared to that here? Yesterday Karol had a 3x root canal as a result of a crown that went bad. It cost us US$663 and that's only about 1/2 the final total. I'm more than happy to pay that cost so she can have nice teeth. Would they just pull the tooth in a socialized system or would they spend the $$ to fix the tooth?

>
>IMHO the very best care comes if there are strong public and private healthcare systems.

I do not disagree. I'd just want to define "strong" I suppose.

>Society decides what it will pay for, those who want extra or demand better service, need only step across to the private system and pay for it.

Well, actually, I think people should make these decisions but I take your point. However, in some cases here where the iron grip of socialized medicine is encroaching we actually have cases where doctors can be legally in trouble if they take cash. Go figure...

>
>Regards

Ditto!! <g>

>
>JR