Using other countries state of affairs to make a point about your own

[mikkey 0]

The UK thread obsession by our good friend John Rich has actually caused me to think about this issue when I saw Michael Moore’s “Sicko”.

While interesting and highly amusing, the film annoyed me to no end by the extend it used other countries health care systems (including Cuba ) to criticize the US system.

As a matter of principle I am a supporter of a socialized health care system, however – no system is perfect and differences in management of the system can lead to major differences in the outcomes it delivers. Looking at my Scandinavian roots and the many years I have lived in Australia – I find it interesting how we down under generally achieve a better health outcome to the majority of the population then most Scandinavian systems which use far more money as a % of GDP on health.

What it tells me is that it is highly problematic to take one country’s unique issues and translate it to another’s. From what I have seen about the US health system, it seems it is in major need of reform. It does however make no sense to just say e.g. “let’s copy the NHS from the UK".

So what’s my point with this? Well, I think that while we always should look and learn from others experience, we should always keep in mind that every country has it’s own unique circumstances, structures, history and culture.

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When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[billvon 3,107]

>What it tells me is that it is highly problematic to take one
>country’s unique issues and translate it to another’s.

Excellent point.

I have long considered that one of the strengths of the system here in the US is that we're willing to use hybrid systems. Police and roads? Socialist. Consumer economy? Capitalist. National park system? Communist. We pick and choose and get a system that's made up of several other systems, and it works pretty well.

That's why I worry when I see people advocate either 100% socialized medicine, or are repelled by the idea of _any_ socialist element in a medical system. Both extremes - pure captialism, pure socialism - are bad news in many ways, no matter what Moore claims when it comes to Cuba or the UK. But an intermediate system (which is basically what we have now) works OK, and can probably be improved - as long as we don't fall prey to the thinking that it's an all-or-nothing proposition, or that we have to directly copy some other country's system.

[Gawain 0]

I think you bring up a good point.

In the US, it's easy to muddle the distinction between health-care and the costs of that care.

There's no shortage here of insurance or even care. It's the cost that everyone likes to whine about. What I'm starting to see is less of a necessity of general insurance and greater need for specialized/urgent care coverage. A $25 co-pay with paperwork hassle and long lines for general care (common with American HMOs) holds less value than a straight $35 cash visit.

The other factor that needs to be addressed reinforcing taking better care of oneself. I don't know about Australia, but Americans are not doing too good a job at staying fit. Diabetes is so prevalent in the US that blood-sugar monitors are a firmly established self-sustaining industry now. That was not the case 20 years ago.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[mikkey 0]

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The other factor that needs to be addressed reinforcing taking better care of oneself. I don't know about Australia, but Americans are not doing too good a job at staying fit. Diabetes is so prevalent in the US that blood-sugar monitors are a firmly established self-sustaining industry now. That was not the case 20 years ago.

Yes, obesity – especially in children – is a growing problem down here. It is however not as bad as what I have seen in the US. I think your food and especially the size of your portions are just unhealthy. I have an 8 year old son who likes burgers and fast food like other kids, but I make at least sure he works all the calories off again. Instead of letting him sit in front of the TV / playstation all day after school and on week-neds, I make sure he does sport every day: swimming, Australian Rules football, basketball and taekwondo.

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When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

[Erroll 80]

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I make sure he does sport every day: swimming, Australian Rules football, basketball and taekwondo.

Australian Rules football is that sport where the umpires indicate the lengths of their 'members' every so often?