- Joined
- Dec 13, 2015
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- Centrist
Answer from here: Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
The United States spends significantly more on healthcare than comparable countries, and yet has worse health outcomes. Much of the national conversation has focused on spending on retail prescription drugs and administrative costs as the primary drivers of health spending in the U.S. President Donald Trump has signed executive orders with broad directives to lower prescription drug costs primarily in the Medicare program, and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden’s healthcare plan also aims to lower prescription drug costs by giving the federal government authority to negotiate prices for all purchasers.
While it is true that many brand-name prescription drugs are priced higher in the U.S. than in peer countries, health spending data indicates that other spending categories – particularly hospital and physician payments – are greater drivers of health spending.
The U.S. spends twice as much as comparable countries on health, driven mostly by higher payments to hospitals and physicians
Healthcare in the US is a "racket" run by private-enterprise companies for a profit and individuals for a damn fine salary. The center-point of which are the healthcare-professionals who also earn high salaries. Yes, the doctors and nurses who are key to the profession.
According to the Medscape Physician Compensation Report, in 2018, Primary-Care Physicians in the United States earned on average $237,000, while Specialists earned $341,000.
They don't deserve the money? Well, of course in the US they deserve a more-than-decent salary for this critically key-service. Afterall, unlike my kids here in France, they went to expensive postsecondary schools for their diplomas*! Which most must pay-off once they start earning a salary.
Is that excuse good-enough. NO WAY!
Healthcare is not like lawyering. It is a key-component of our lifestyle and without it you know damn-well what can happen! If you do not agree then do tell me what other service is more important and why. Because this particular healthcare-service is critical to our lifestyle.
PS: A French friend paid his daughter's annual fee for a medical-degree at a state-run school here in France and annually that cost around $750 per year (in Euros) - not including room&board! She is now a registered professional physician.