Krugman: Republicans Against Reality

[KitSileya]

24. Most Europeans that go outside their own country for health care,

do it because their own country isn't big enough to sustain a research center for every disease - like Norway, with 5 million inhabitants, can't be cutting edge in everything. And yes, the health care systems in these countries have to prioritize one patient over another sometimes, but not nearly as often as the health insurance industry in the US prioritizes in favor of profit. Having the equipment too is costly in smaller populations. The question is this, tho' - these Europeans, do they have to bankrupt themselves to get this care? Would they end up bankrupt if they themselves needed care? The answer, of course, is that no, in most cases Europeans won't end up bankrupt if they tumble down the stairs, or have a child with cancer. These children will not be denied health care when they become adults - should they be cured, it will not follow them forever, and make it more difficult for them to get jobs, or change jobs, or move. In the US it will.

As someone who has experienced treatment in one European health care system, I can definitely say that it is much, much better overall than the US system. That doesn't mean that there aren't people who fall through the cracks, or that some aren't satisfied with their treatment, but they don't live in fear that it will destroy their whole family financially! No health care system will ever be perfect, and it will never be able to save everyone, but most European systems are miles ahead of the treatment opportunities most Americans have.