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by joomooru 1082 days ago
perhaps we should sidestep the problem of profitability in healthcare entirely and create a non-profit healthcare system? which even the most free-market loving enthusiast should be in agreement with -- inelastic demand and all
2 comments
ars 1082 days ago
They exist. It helps nothing.

The gigantic UPMC is a non profit. Actually a TON of hospitals are non profits - every religious founded hospital is a non profit (Maimonides Medical Center, or every Mercy Hospital (Wikipedia counts 33 of them)).

60% of hospitals are non-profit.

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tchaffee 1082 days ago
He said a healthcare system. Not a hospital. They are related, but not the same thing.
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ars 1081 days ago
Non-profit insurance companies also exist. It still helps nothing.

Are you hoping for non-profit drug and equipment makers as well? How far do you need this "non-profit" thing to go before you acknowledge it doesn't help at all?

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tchaffee 1081 days ago
The NHS is non-profit. That's a healthcare system, not just a hospital or insurance company. I repeat that he said "system" and you continue to talk about things that are not a healthcare system.

I can acknowledge that it not just helps but that it is far more functional than the US system I've had to suffer through for many years. In addition to years of experience with the US and NHS, I also have many years of experience with Italian national healthcare which is also non-profit and better than the US system.

The US system is better for some diseases but only if you are rich. And an absolute failure if you aren't employed. Even if you can manage to stay employed with a serious illness you better have a healthy family member with a lot of energy who can fight the insurance company that really doesn't want the cost and burden of you and will make that clear in every action.

How far do you need this "for profit" thing to go before you acknowledge its very serious flaws and inadequacies?

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ars 1081 days ago
The NHS is a combo of hospitals, doctors, and insurance.

This combo (system as you like to call it, although that leaves out a ton of stuff) also exists in the US as a non-profit. I said this already.

It doesn't help

What will help is doctors taking a paycut and mass layoffs.

The problems in the US are not on the payment side, they are on the service side: it's simply too expensive.

We need twice as many doctors, working half as many hours, for half as much pay.

That's what would fix the US.

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tchaffee 1080 days ago
NHS is not a combo of "hospitals, doctors, and insurance". It does not involve insurance at all. It is a comprehensive and integrated healthcare system that runs as a whole.

I'm writing this from the UK where I use the NHS. I've also used the US system extensively and the Italian healthcare system extensively.

You need to get basic facts right if you want to be a part of the debate.

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flagrant_taco 1082 days ago
If this is aimed at free-market living enthusiasts, I believe the response from them would be that the market is currently not stopping anyone from opening non-profit healthcare providers today.
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