Hey guys, many other countries have figured out that healthcare doesn't have to be a privatized, for-profit nightmare. Perhaps that's an option worth exploring.

[–] Duranie 17 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Plenty have been fighting for it, but there's an uphill battle against "but that's socialism and socialism is evil!" and those that personally benefit financially who stand in the way.

[–] Facebones@reddthat.com 9 points 2 months ago

Ironically most of these patented meds were developed with US funding, but somehow it isn't socialism when corporations benefit.

[–] OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Oh, I agree it won't be easy, particularly when taking profits from rich people.

I've heard it likened to a house full of asbestos. Knock it all down and there's likely to be collateral damage, but meticulously taking it apart will take a considerable amount of time. I feel it would be easiest for governments to purchase the insurance companies, then slowly amalgamate so it's all one network open to everyone.

Also it's a bit entertaining when someone opposes it because "it's socialism". It's already socialism, you just have middlemen skimming profit off the top while providing little value.

[–] TheGalacticVoid@lemm.ee 14 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You're ignoring the fact that it's nearly impossible to implement this right now. Big pharma and numerous politicians want to keep the status quo for as long as possible. By the time we have more affordable medicine, numerous people would have suffered greatly or died because they couldn't access the medicine they need. Having solutions that don't require an entire rework of the healthcare industry is necessary so that we can save as many lives as possible.

[–] OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 months ago

Oh yes, your pay-to-win government duopoly isn't helping anything, but don't call it impossible. The Affordable Care Act was a start, and I don't doubt the right people could make universal healthcare access a real thing in the US.

[–] kirk781@discuss.tchncs.de 13 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Isn't medical tourism a thing in the US too; like you can fly to a developing country, get your treatment done by top specialists there and fly back to US and the cost would still be lower than what it would have taken to do in home country.

[–] EchoCranium@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 months ago

It has been popular. People were traveling out of country for joint replacements. Costs were less for travel, surgery, and recovery than what they would pay for it here. Covid put a damper on travel for a couple years, so not sure if it's still as popular. I would consider it if/when I need knee replacements done. Considering what I've heard about the quality issues of joint replacements in the US, I don't want one here.

[–] winterayars@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 months ago

You can fly to a developed country and still get treatment cheaper.

[–] veniasilente@lemm.ee 4 points 2 months ago

Oh yeah that should be cheap considering Cuba is right around the corner, for example.

[–] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 months ago

Haha, what?!? That's crazy talk!