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by lostlogin 1174 days ago
I have both, and the wait at the paid clinic is long, as is the wait at the free clinic.

It’s not whether the cost is socialised or not that decides how long the wait will be.

It also doesn’t help that the private system is incentivised to undermine the ‘free’ system at every turn.
2 comments
TedDoesntTalk 1174 days ago
> It’s not whether the cost is socialised or not that decides how long the wait will be

If care is free, aren’t you more likely to go than if you had to pay even a minimal cost?

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lostlogin 1174 days ago
It more complicated than that unfortunately.

New Zealand has an accident compensation system which pays for accidents (though there may be a small surcharge) but not most medical events. They split the hair finer that is sane. Swallow a foreign body? Medical problem. Swallow a foreign body as say ‘it feels scratched’? Accident. Insect bite? Medical. Mosquito bite? Accident (it’s a distant memory from when I billed these things but I’m fairly confident I’m right).

It’s all to do with cause and effect, and each must be identified.

The accident compensation scheme covers a portion of wages too. Medical problems cost, not US style but not free.

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relaxing 1173 days ago
Yeah man I love spending my time in the hospital.
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thewebcount 1174 days ago
Are you? I kind of try to avoid going to doctors and particularly hospitals and ER/EDs as much as possible. Between people with contagious illnesses, and huge amounts of wasted time, I have very little incentive to use as much healthcare as possible.
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lelanthran 1173 days ago
> It also doesn’t help that the private system is incentivised to undermine the ‘free’ system at every turn.

By competing on ... what? Can't be price (because "free" wins). The only other option is competing on quality.

Your statement doesn't sound correct.

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lostlogin 1173 days ago
Staff, including very senior staff often work in both systems. They then hire staff from the public system into the private one. This runs down the public system. There are accusations that they don't work fast or efficiently in the public system, leading to inefficiency. Senior staff with roles or even ownership of private facilities arrange contracts for outsourcing of work to private facilities. I have worked in both systems and currently work in the private setting.
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Timon3 1173 days ago
Competition isn't the only way for a private system to have influence on a non-private system. You understand that, right?
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lelanthran 1173 days ago
> Competition isn't the only way for a private system to have influence on a non-private system. You understand that, right?

I already asked what the ways are; why are you replying saying there are ways?

I literally asked "In what ways?" and you are replying "handwaving There Are Ways" ...

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Timon3 1173 days ago
No, you did not. You specified that you're only looking at competition, and then replied to yourself that there isn't anything else.

In case you really can't imagine alternatives: what if the private system spreads lies about the non-private system? What if they use their influence to change laws and regulations to prefer their system? What if they use their influence to make others with influence treat those using the non-private system worse?

None of these are competition in the sense you're asking for, and yet they are a natural consequence of private incentives.

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