[CaptainZapp]

> The general slowness extends to simple things like x-rays and blood tests too. This is not just US but whole of the west seems to have the exact same attitude.

In Switzerland I get an MRI within 48 hours if my doctor orders it.

Mind you, healthcare is also very expensive comparatively but the quality is very high and coverage is extensive.

[evnix]

Condition is if "your doctor orders it" and how long does it take to get to that doctor if it isn't an emergency. I don't about Switzerland but it is quite bad in majority of EU countries.

And Why can't you just walk in to a clinic to get x-rays and tests done like it is in done elsewhere. Have clinics compete for price.

The other part no one mentions is the utter cheating that goes on in statistics to show that the health care system is doing good. Things like counting the patients who were admitted but not counting the rest 90% who died just waiting for months.

[jorvi]

> And Why can't you just walk in to a clinic to get x-rays and tests done like it is in done elsewhere. Have clinics compete for price.

Because false negatives are a massive problem. People get biopsies or treatments for things that never needed it, which is ultimately worse for their health (on average) than catching the rare time it is something.

[evnix]

There is no stats to what you are speaking. General People not being able to get to doctor in months is a bigger problem than a rare false negative.

This also reduces burden on doctors. If the only thing your doctor does is prescribe antibiotics and orders scans. Why not do it yourself and get treated early.

[CaptainZapp]

You can absolutely walk in an have an MRI made at any time.

It's just not paid for by your health insurance.

[jorvi]

Apologies, I mixed up my terms, I meant false positive.

And no, you are wrong, overtreatment is a huge problem.

[piva00]

> And Why can't you just walk in to a clinic to get x-rays and tests done like it is in done elsewhere. Have clinics compete for price.

I hope you are aware that these also exist in many EU countries, private clinics aren't banned because of public healthcare, you can purchase private health insurance in many countries, I can't say all because I don't know the intricacies of every country's system since this is a national policy and each member-state is free to run their own systems.

Here in Sweden I have private health insurance through my employer, I cannot go directly to a clinic for imaging, etc. since it needs a referral from a doctor but it's quite simple and when I needed I had many choices of private clinics to do a MRI. If you don't have insurance you can definitely pay out of your own pocket, both for a private doctor as for exams.

[autoexec]

You can, but it's not necessarily a good idea.

https://www.newyorker.com/science/annals-of-medicine/will-a-...

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2024.08.024

[short_sells_poo]

I feel the seiss system really nails it. Health insurance is mandatory. If you can't afford even the basic level, the government pays for it. The basic level itself covers basically everything from emergency care, hospital stays and gp. The extras you can pay for are things like single rooms in hospitals or access to private clinics. Compared to the local salaries, the basic package is quite cheap - doubly so compared to the UK where National Insurance extracts a very hefty portion of your paycheck and this gets you the dire waiting times of nhs...

[soco]

Maybe because the Swiss didn't let the magical hand of privatization solve it? The healthcare providers might be private but the laws and regulations and conditions under which they are run are very strict and very detailed. Perfect? Of course not, I could give examples heaps. But better that many? Very yes.

Now, is there here anybody from Spain to comment on their system? I've heard good stuff about it.

[sega_sai]

National insurance contributions have nothing to do with the NHS. NI contributions determine your state pension (but because the money from NI just goes to treasury, NI is really just income tax with different name)

[MediumOwl]

Does it? It's also close to last in most categories in the linked study.