American reacts: What does the rest of the world think of American Healthcare?

Thank you for watching me, a humble American, react to What Does U.S. Health Care Look Like Abroad?
Original video: • What Does U.S. Health ...
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[@AtheistBelgium]

To be honest, we in Europe pity U.S. citizens.

[@Ne0LiT]

Even we, Eastern Europeans at this point kinda feel bad for them, lol. This is so miserable, no human in the world, especially in the richest country on Earth in history, should be treated like trash like that, lol. But I guess that is why it is the richest country in the world...everyone suffers for the sake of a select few.

[@swanvictor887]

personally, i laugh at them. I'm sick to the back teeth of American tourists lecturing me about the evils of socialism.

[@Dadadin]

yet they still think they are best in the world - in everything

[@biniou14]

@@Dadadin they always are... in this case, they are the best at building the worst healthcare system...

[@anibalfernando3027]

Well nothing surprises me.. they only worried about the might Dollar..

[@fee6362]

Letting People die, probably even children, because they can't pay for lifesaving medications upfront is honestly monstrous.

[@user-oq2nz1eu7i]

they are the pure evil!!!!

[@adeledavies8428]

It's pure greed.

[@user-hk2uz1nu9p]

America is a business.

[@xander9460]

"Severely overpriced medications/healthcare" Because they let it be a free market, whilst technically every hospital/healthcare provider is essentially a monopoly. Meaning they can charge whatever.

[@herenow6953]

The US doesn't GAF about people! The people at the top only care about money and power. The US is the most corrupt country on earth.

[@michaellucas4873]

Universal healthcare can only be regarded as socialism if you also think that having a military, police service, and fire department are socialism too!

[@ninemoonplanet]

Exactly. The entire government structure is "socialism" if you look at the definition. The Presidency, Congress, Senate, State elected officials, fire, police, air traffic control, the list is longer. Socialism, where a society pools money to pay for services everyone uses.

[@patrickobrien5968]

@@ninemoonplanet and then the government can decide who lives and who dies

[@thetabletopskirmisher]

@@patrickobrien5968 don’t be any stupider than you have to be by making such a nonsensical comment

[@Mordraneth]

@@patrickobrien5968 You mean like your insurance companies? My Govt never refuses needed healthcare to its citizens, for anything.

[@cybercat1531]

@@patrickobrien5968 Kek Says a dude currently letting a corpo control his life XD

[@MiamiCereal]

I think most Europeans would agreewhen I say we'd love to visit the us for holiday/vacation but wouldn't like to stay there. It's a dystopian nightmare between your healthcare, overall crime, as well as gun and knife crime rates, lack of family leave and holidays and poor employment rights

[@weejackrussell]

Visiting the USA costs a fortune because of the need to insure against the need for medical treatment while there. If I go to many other countries we have reciprocal health agreements.

[@MiamiCereal]

@@weejackrussell my travel insurance cost me £90, hardly a fortune compared to the cost of the flight

[@olgahein4384]

As a german who went to the US once i can tell you: Never again, thanks. Not only does the US food taste like sugar with chemicals (lets not even talk about their bReAd), i was told that tab water was not safe to drink (like wtf?), i nearly got arrested for taking a walk in the neighborhood where the family i was staying with lived (it was an au pair and the family was gone for the day so i wanted to get some fresh air) cause someone deemed me a suspicious person spying out houses - the lack of sidewalks should have told me, i got sick from the food, water and air there for the first month and then i got pimples like crazy, and don't even wanna think about public transportation there. I will rather stick to vacation all over Europe, thanks.

[@valsyaranamual6853]

But they have "freedom"!

[@katalinnemeth5871]

In your dreams. ​@@valsyaranamual6853

[@BlackTempleGaurdian]

The problem with the American Healthcare system is you let the market have unregulated access to a service where the customer has no reasonable way to say no. It's not paying for a service, it's having your life held hostage.

[@janegarnham]

Exactly it is not a choice to say no .

[@stephanweinberger]

@@janegarnham ... and often the patient isn't even physically able to say something when they need healthcare.

[@cegesh1459]

Regulation alone is not enough, healthcare has to be public, full stop. Capitalism does not work.

[@sylviav6900]

Fully agree! They are taking them hostage as those kinds of service and products are not negotiable. Also, the companies (pharmaceutical, medicos service, insurance, etc.) are also checking the prices of the other companies in the market and adjust the prices accordingly (or should I say "commonly"?). Plus: Most health insurances in the US don't even give you free access to choosing the doctor as you need to use those, that company has a contract with.

[@mbserel12]

Unregulated markets will always evolve into two things: 1- Become a monopoly and 2 - hold costumers hostage.

[@joemurphy1189]

Ireland here. We’re pretty much the same as the rest of the EU. I’ll just chip in with this: I would gladly (and do) pay money out of each pay packet so that people less fortunate than me can get medical help. Old people who have worked their lives so I can live in the country I do, kids who are the future, everyone who needs it. I’m not sure if you’re aware of it, also, but if travelling around the EU all you need to do is spend €30 on an E111 (EHIC) card and you’re entitled to free health care everywhere else, too. Socialism, sucks, doesn’t it?

[@theinvisibleneonrainbowzeb2567]

post-brexit, there is now the "GHIC" [in England anyway, not sure if it's same in Scotland/Wales/NI], which as far as I can tell, is basically the same as the EHIC. I'm not sure if there is a fee to get one though?

[@yanamiseh2501]

Thank you, the « why would I pay for someone else » answer from some American kills me. Everyone pays for everyone else it’s calls solidarity and it actually cost less in the end, in a sense our sense of solidarity prevents us from our own demise. And the people saying these things often time call themselves Christians

[@kyleoates6367]

That's the really sad thing about America. We ARE paying money out of each paycheck for our health care. If you have employer "provided" health care, you're still paying hundreds of dollars for your family each month. Close to a hundred dollars JUST for yourself. Universal healthcare would be cheaper per month than what most people pay for their insurance, and if done correctly would have no to very little cost to the patient after the tax. We pay for our insurance, and then we pay for our care here. It is absurd.

[@davidbrooks2375]

@@theinvisibleneonrainbowzeb2567 Fortunately the UK govt decided to allow us to keep the EU health care cooperation. They just had to rename the card and put a big union flag on it

[@hannahk1306]

​@@theinvisibleneonrainbowzeb2567 GHIC is free, but I don't think it has the same coverage as the EHIC and the government have to negotiate it on a per country basis

[@nicolasletellier6162]

Once I talked with an American about that, and he told me, he prefer his system rather than having the government take his money every month. So we did some math, and my social security ( tax) plus my health care plan was way less expensive than what he pays for his health care, I explained to him if I go to the hospital, no matter what the reason will have to pay nothing when I get out, while he still has to pay a lot. Yet even after that he still told me he didn't want the government to take more of his money, and he didn't want to pay for others. There is a mindset to that, and I find many Americans don't make the difference between Socialism and communism.

[@bogdiworksV2]

I think he was trying to save face when he realised he was fucked unless he moved abroad.

[@aaronburdon221]

​@@bogdiworksV2fuck that. Lol I'd much rather pay more so the government stays out of my business.

[@catecotter1]

@@aaronburdon221 Do you think if the government pays for health care it has the right to interfere in your health care... or even gives a shit?

[@aaronburdon221]

@@catecotter1 I don't understand the question. The government doesn't pay for your healthcare. You do, whether through your taxes or through an insurance company. I'd rather not give government any more power since i've seen what it does with the power its already been given.

[@Mordraneth]

@@aaronburdon221 So give to a for-profit private insurance company instead....I..guess.....

[@stevenclarke5606]

I’m from the UK and had a serious accident at work, falling 10 m , breaking my back in two places, breaking my pelvis. I spent 10 weeks in hospital, had many x-rays, ct scans , drugs, daily food and the end charge was zero! God bless the NHS, and all the staff.

[@user-fz7ox2zb1p]

We were on holiday in Florida when my 3year old grandson had a major type one diabetes episode when he was taken to hospital.the hospital left him untreated until my son returned to the hotel to collect the insurance and then had to contact the insurance company in uk so the hospital had confirmation of the cover.only after four hours of my grandson laying on a hospital bed untreated did anyone start the treatment he needed. We were disgusted at the lack of care and money before life attitude of the hospital never going to US again

[@valsyaranamual6853]

Shows how much the Hippocratic Oath means to doctors in the US.Should call it the Hypocritical Oath for the US!

[@1chish]

In the UK our doctors reach for a stethoscope. In the USA they reach for your credit card. It is just an appalling system and attitude. And they truly believe they are the best...

[@Timien]

@@valsyaranamual6853 Not to defend the atrocious treatment you get from the USA, but how they get around the "Hippocratic Oath" is you only talk to administrators about money before you talk to a doctor about treatment. Then the doctors play dumb saying they were not given any info until payment is made.

[@PaulG.x]

@@Timien Very few doctors actually take the "Hippocratic Oath" "As of 2018 all US medical school graduates made some form of public oath but none used the original Hippocratic Oath. A modified form or an oath unique to that school is often used. A review of 18 of these oaths was criticized for their wide variability: "Consistency would help society see that physicians are members of a profession that's committed to a shared set of essential ethical values." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath I suspect "a modified form or an oath unique to that school" is: *"money money money money yum yum yum yum"*

[@kyleoates6367]

That's why you should pay attention to things like the transgender no travel warnings. Do NOT go to conservative states if you are from out of the country. They will not help you if you need it until you prove you can pay.

[@petragrevstad2714]

The poor guy dying from not being able to afford his much needed insulin had me crying. My mom is diabetic. Insulin is totally free in Sweden.

[@satakrionkryptomortis]

sounds like a lack of extremistic capitalism in sweden..very good, sir.

[@31Blaize]

Unconscionable to most of us. Why the hell do Americans not just put up with it but actively fight having universal healthcare??

[@Dolph681]

@@31Blaize Because Governments and private corporations brainwash them, that universal healthcare is soviet union socialism. Idiotic I know.

[@LucianoMMatias]

I’m from Portugal, its free here as well.

[@kaiserfranzjoseph9311]

@@satakrionkryptomortis capitalism isnt the problem, corruption is

[@IshavedChewbacca]

It's actually insane how things like healthcare and education can be for-profit instead of a public service

[@Jebu911]

Yeah in my country our university "free education" still costs money. Its like 50-100 bucks a year so cant really go into debt with that but technically i guess it aint free. Government will pay it tho if you are being a real stingy biatch refusing to pay even that.

[@susanroberts2289]

Some ten or twelve years ago I was in a small town in America and I went into a local shop to buy a snack. I saw a basin on the counter with a note attached asking for donations for a named person. As I donated I asked who the collection was for and was told it was for a child who urgently needed hospital treatment. It was the first time I had heard of such a thing happening. Even remembering that day still shocks me.

[@Mordraneth]

And only in the USA is raising money from strangers to get a life-saving treatment a "feel good story". To the rest of the world, it's a travesty...

[@Demonsteel87]

I never got the "You're free to choose your own doctor!!" argument in the US, 'cause you're not. Some doctors are literally not covered by your insurance plan. Meanwhile in Sweden, if you don't like your doctor for whatever reason you're free to request a different one. Won't cost you a buck.

[@bogdiworksV2]

what they mean is you're free if you can pay. If you can't, you don't exist.

[@TheBazino]

Almost the same here. About 80% of doctors are within the public healthcare system in Austria. 20% are private only. In which case the public healthcare system will "only" cover a certain amount of the costs retroactively, as in you have to pay it to that private doctor in advance and send the bill to the public healthcare agency, which will then refund you the amount. Good private doctors will help you by "tailoring" their bill towards the public system reimbursing you the max amount. This is however a topic of constant discussion. Currently there is a discussion going on if those private doctors shouldn't be forced to take a certain amount of publicly insured people IF there is a current shortage in their field (I think a maximum waiting time of 3 weeks for a specialist appointment is the goal) with the argument being that i.e. lawyers are also forced to take a certain amount of non-paying defense cases (when people can't afford a lawyer).

[@wizardsghost876]

Germany here. Free choice of Doctors , ReHab facility is a fundamently right.

[@StarWarsExpert_]

Same here in Germany!

[@Jebu911]

Yeah they assign you a doctor here but if i want i can get second opinions too for free if i feel like wasting my time and tax money. Doctors are highly trained enough to do a decent job.

[@queenofburggrafenamt5485]

Italian here. My father - 77 yo - is paralized from his waste down due to a severe problem in his spine. He received several surgical treatments years ago. Only the optional operations did cost us some totally affordable money. He is now bed ridden, and developed diabetes. He receives not only insulin and other diabetes related medicines for free, but also appliances for his hygiene, the medical bed he sleeps in, the electric wheelchair he uses to move around, and twice a week public nurses come to his home to help him shower, all for free. Noone in our family could live their own "normal" and "free" lives if all these services would not be provided. If we had to pay for all of this, my life and my brother's would be entirely dedicated to earning money to take care of our dad. And just to clarify: we do pay for our health system, that is through taxes. And taxes are proportioned to income. Is not like a charity from the heavens. Also, you say many times "freedom of choosing your own doctor": we do have an assigned family doctor and you find in the hospitals the doctors that are hired by that hospital oc. But if you are unsatisfied with them, you can go to another hospital in another town, and you have the same coverage. You can also go to private doctors and the national health system gives you some of the money back if you need to pay for a private visit. It's not like there are no issues with the public health system. There are, at least here in Italy. But what you US Americans have is simply insane.

[@michalandrejmolnar3715]

You can change it, just vote for Democrats, as they are the US sociál democracy

[@Doki_LP]

I wish your father the best

[@tomkronberger8710]

Best wishes for you and your family. Although there are many problems Italians have proven many times to be smart enough to find solutions. Greetings from Austria

[@Dreyno]

Plus Italian life expectancy is almost 5 years more than in the U.S.

[@denisesf5]

We pick our own doctors in Canada too.

[@shapeshifter7676]

The biggest problem is that most Americans think that's totally okay and they will defend this with their lives.

[@vwood1398]

Probably due to decades of "the USA is the best" propaganda

[@stevemurrell6167]

....and their guns and their'2nd amendment' rights. It's all about their 'freedom' but it seems to preclude the freedom to be healthy and cared for. How f**ked is that?

[@Timien]

They do. Americans die every day from lack of health care so that they dont have to spend a buck.

[@missharry5727]

Literally, in some cases.

[@laurakerschenbaum4079]

It's terrible! A few years back, my husband's spleen burst, he almost died. An emergency situation. The surgeon who took the case--we were told he was within our health plan--mind you, it was 1 in the morning--who are we going to call to check? The insurance company REFUSED to pay the surgeon for treating the complications after the surgery (through no fault of the surgeon) because we were supposed to switch doctors to a "plan" doctor mid-treatment? We had no notice that the doctor was out of plan. Why would we even consider that when we were told otherwise?? We appealed on the notice issue, and lost the case. Apparently, I was supposed to be psychic and 'just know' to call and double check. He WAS in our health carrier's plans, but not in our group plan under my husband's employer--again, how would I know that?? That lovely doctor waived the 5k extra cost so we wouldn't have to further bankrupt ourselves (we had paid many costs/deductibles already. It was a nightmare I was dealing with while my husband was in critical condition). Our health system isn't really a system--it's a clown car full of vultures!

[@PreceptorGrant]

In the UK, you're free to take out private insurance and get private doctors if you want to. But the NHS is always there for you. The politican who set up the NHS in the first place, Nye Bevan, put it like this: “Illness is neither an indulgence for which people have to pay, nor an offence for which they should be penalised, but a misfortune, the cost of which should be shared by the community.”

[@jennil7797]

He's right. The only freedom you have in the US when it comes to health is the freedom to die. We too can choose our own doctors. I phone for an appointment with my choice of doctor among the 8 who work there. If I'm referred to a consultant and am not happy with the outcome, I can get a second opinion from a different one. Not that I've ever needed to because the ENT specialist, neurologist, lupus/rheumatologist, obstetrician, oncologist and endocrinologist who have overseen my treatment at various times in my 70 years on this planet have been NHS experts and brilliant.

[@davedevosbaarle]

In the Netherlands we can also pretty much pick our own doctor if we don't like the one assigned to us, and a 2nd opinion if desired. I wouldn't say we have universal healthcare in the Netherlands, but we have universal basic health insurance of about 140 euro per person per month (children up to 18yo included for free, ~400 euro deductible per year), and that premium is even partially or even fully reimbursed by the state if your income is low. Every year the state determines which treatments and medications are covered by basic health insurance next year (that would include basically all regular medical treatments and medicines, but not stuff like purely cosmetic plastic surgery), and then health insurance companies can determine their premiums for it. In addition to this obligatory basic health insurance, you can add optional insurances for stuff like dental care or not medically required pedicure treatments.

[@andersrefstad8235]

In Norway you can have a say about witch doc. to go to, if on a transport (Code3). If 'Urgent' or 'Emergency', -You end upp where you shal bee.

[@Viennery]

The US doesn’t even have the freedom to die. Euthanasia is still illegal there.

[@Gsoda35]

they got witchdoctors in Norway? just kidding. English sure can be complicated.

[@zorrothebug]

In Germany you choose your own family doctor and when you need to see a specialist you get a referral but you decide which specialist you pick. And if you are not satisfied you still can decide to get a second opinion by contacting another doctor. I don't know where this nonsense "but we can choose our doctors" comes from. Yeah, well, mainly every other citizen in the developed world can too.

[@Homievegetable]

Words can not describe the anger I feel whenever I see an American medical bill

[@josephrankin9406]

The "market" only reduces prices if there's competition in that market. If the market is uniform and monopolized then prices get raised whenever the management "need" a new yacht.

[@steverichard2786]

At the end of the day, I'd sooner see my taxes go towards keeping people alive, providing Universal healthcare and long life, than paying taxes towards bigger bombs.

[@etienne8110]

Problem being that the wealth of the USA and their 1% relies more on having more and bigger bombs, than on having a healthy pop... The usa can enjoy their level of wealth only for as long as they have the biggest army so they can plunder the rest of the world.

[@slackerdc]

How are we going to pay for it???? Well how do we pay for the military? Cool okay so lets cut that in half, do away with private medical insurance take the savings from that and do universal health care and then take the money that is LEFT OVER to help balance the budget elsewhere. Everyone is covered and people have a bit more money in their pockets too.

[@lynby6231]

The people who are getting filthy rich out of American healthcare will lobby the compliant government to keep it the way they want it, that’s all they’re interested in not the welfare of their public.

[@GiorniVenibato]

@@slackerdcthat’s a good solution but the GOP won’t allow help do the poor and they kept voting for REPUBLICANS!

[@iAmDiBBz]

surprisingly the taxes dont actually go to budget of military spending because americas exports market and weapons R&D is so big that them selling and distributing covers the cost of military spending. as the US will get kickbacks from those. The main thing thats fucked up here is that americans think we pay high taxes meanwhile they are statistically paying more in many other services combined for shittier services. the american government needs a huge reform and serious action in order for universal healthcare to even become a thing. never mind the plethora of other issues from employment and workers rights etc etc

[@grahvis]

The fact that the US is a very wealthy country matters not to a large percentage of its citizens, they don't see any of that wealth. The wealth is mostly at the top, not spread fairly through the population. As for freedom, in world rankings, for all its bragging the US is not even in the top ten.

[@raybenstead2548]

Don't see how the US can be considered a wealthy country when their national debt is well over $32 trillion. A backward looking country forsure.

[@janegarnham]

America is a dystopia and they can not even see it that is so Orwellian.

[@linmonPIE]

One of the issues, in a sea of issues, is that some Americans define freedom differently than other first world nations. They define it as basically “every man for himself”. If you die then it’s your own fault. They’ve been raised to think that asking for help from anyone when you’re in trouble is shameful rather than being a bonus feature of living in society.

[@eaglevision993]

The US is not a very wealthy country, that is an old times illusion. If they were wealthy they could provide basic needs to their citizens (perfect infrastructure, medical care, good and free schools and daycare, sufficient unemployment protection and benefits etc.) while still spending so much money on the unnecessary crap they already do. The US federal debt is at 34 trillion dollars at the moment. You think it will ever get better?

[@kathilisi3019]

10% of the US is an extremely wealthy country. 90% of the US is a poor country. The gap between the extremes is so big that they might as well be considered separate countries.

[@leonaessens4399]

It's one of those things that never fail to amaze me when I talk to American friends. None of them seem to realise that they don't actually have anything even remotely resembling the kind of healthcare systems that sane countries have. Americans just have an industry that they allow to bankrupt them for life when they have a health problem.

[@JennyAmponsah]

The idea that people would rather remain sick, or worse, risk death, by not going to the doctor for fear of how much it’s going to cost makes me so grateful to be in the U.K. Our NHS may not be perfect, but I thank God for it every day and I will never take it for granted ever again.

[@jeanbrown8295]

Me too,I have had medical care in the US,and the cost is unbelievable

[@rikmoran3963]

There's an interesting video on healthcare I saw a few years ago where an American who worked in healthcare was visiting a large Canadian hospital. He was being shown around and said that in his similarly sized hospital the billing department was the largest with around 200 people. He asked the Canadian where their billing department was. The Canadian replied, "She'll be in tomorrow afternoon.". It sounds more like a joke than a true story, but when you realise that hospitals employ hundreds of people just to create claims for treatment and that degrees in medical coding actually exist, you realise just how much the whole US healthcare system is money driven, rather than health driven.

[@AHVENAN]

That's why the US spends the most on healthcare of all contries, cause there's such an insane amount of administration, the money doesn't go to actually providing care, most of it goes into administration and into the shareholders pockets!

[@zandvoort8616]

Is that £400 per month per person?

[@inawinchester]

Do you know which one that was by any chance?

[@booboss]

​@@zandvoort8616Yes - per person and this is considered as medium plan with high co-pays and OOP Max. The most expensive plans are around $1000 PER PERSON (and there are still co-pays and OOP Max and deductables - just lower) 😂

[@LoveCats9220]

I think I saw that video but haven’t been able to find it again. If it’s the one I’m thinking of, the Americans were also surprised at the up-to-date equipment in the hospital. For a country that is determined to not be shy telling others about their ‘rights’, it’s hard to understand the reason they don’t feel full health care paid through taxes is also their right. If only they felt as strongly about health care as they did about guns

[@fralali1]

Public healthcare is a sign of civilisation!

[@Timien]

Yes. That proves how uncivilized the USA really is.

[@aaronburdon221]

Guess we'll go without civilization. The primary problem is not really the hospitals it's the insurance companies holding congress hostage. Insurance carriers pretty much hold a monopoly within states because they're not allowed to offer services outside of the state theyre in. Monopolies allow them to charge whatever they want, then malpractice insurance is horrifyingly expensive for hospitals on top of the 10-12 years it takes to train a doctor in a school which also is exorbitantly priced because of government intervention. So they have to pay doctors hundreds of thousands of dollars just to offset the loans they incurred getting the education. Basically ALL of those problems extend from the government and these morons who call for government Healthcare want to give them MORE power over our lives. I'll just be "uncivilized" then

[@julkaanka8283]

so it is un-democratic and uncivilized if the law allows corporations to influence lawmakers/parliaments to this extend @@aaronburdon221

[@diablo.the.cheater]

@@aaronburdon221 Your main problem is how much grip your corpos have in your government, it is not a dictatorship but with that hold they have i wouldn't call it either a democracy or a republic, it is more like a... plutocracy meets bureocracy and put red tape around everything while they lie about it being a democracy, better than a dictatorship ofc, as the power is more divided than in a dictatorship, but not enough power is in the average citizen to be equal to a healthy democracy.

[@katnero-campbell6393]

Canadian here, in 2008 I had a seizure and fell down some stairs, got up and went back to bed. Next day my husband couln't wake me up and called our oldest son who was a paramedic, I was hospitalized in a coma, multiple mri's, after I regained conciousness (sp?) had to have surgery on my arm, confined to bed (it alone was worth $25,000) the most we paid was for my husband and sons to park. Was in hospital for over 5 weeks. This would have broke us in USA. Let alone delivery of 3 children, and having chronic hives and trigeminal neuralgia. Don't mind paying my taxes.

[@graemejohnson9025]

Hi from Land Down Under.. I have just spent 10 weeks 2 days in hospital.. Now taking 26 tablets daily.. total cost of stay and medication.. Um.. Zip, Zero…

[@MsKykca]

Constitutional right in developed countries: healthcare Constitutional right in US: guns

[@valsyaranamual6853]

And that is what they call "freedom"! Weird!

[@LoneStarr1979]

But it makes total sense: Regarding the insane prices, you want to protect your precious medication ... *headagainstwannemoji*

[@kenlawton1531]

"Freeedooommm"🤦

[@kaneworsnop1007]

The crazy thing about skin to skin contact after birth is its deemed incredibly important to be done right away for mother child bonding. In the UK the mother would have to seriously kick off for it not to happen, even then the midwife would be trying to convince her to have that contact. Its always weird seeing American films and the baby is taken to a nursery filled with babies and the parents have to look through a window, in the UK unless your baby has to go to intensive care its in a cot next to you and you and baby are out of the hospital within an hour or 2.

[@Timien]

The "olden" days were like that.

[@PaulG.x]

Yes , American Doctors have found that well bonded mothers and children result in loving people that are more likely to see the value in socialist policies - that's why they try to dissuade people from that sort of thing

[@KnutBluetooth]

@@Timien It's not "The olden" but "The olde" or you can just forget about the ending 'e'. The olde days, In olden (dative) days.

[@charybdisfgl2048]

I love Ryan’s character development through all this time and all the years. He has such a European mindset at this point 😂

[@armelior4610]

I'm in France and our own healthcare system has lots of problems, especially the hospitals since COVID. Thanks USA healthcare to make me think we don't have it so bad !

[@molybdomancer195]

My brother last year did a test to detect colon cancer which came back positive. He had an operation and a fairly lengthy stay in hospital. Since then he had colostomy bags and other supplies. He is currently undergoing a series of tests to see if his stoma can be reversed. All of this is free (or already paid out of taxes if you prefer). He has been able to concentrate on getting better and his job, not paying his medical bills.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

My very best wishes to you all. May your brother's health improve and he be as well as possible, safely, as soon as possible. May 2024 be all that you hope for - and better. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🙂❤️💙🇬🇧🖖

[@Timien]

Now thats what a civilized country should do.

[@thoso1973]

I'm surprised that American hospitals don't also charge their patients for the air they're breating while in the building.

[@jonharbour9166]

They haven't figured out how to measure it yet!

[@timogeerties3487]

7:58 Respiratory Therapy: 67.092,55$ They *do* charge given the chance

[@sonyabowler7491]

Don't give them ideas..

[@timogeerties3487]

@@sonyabowler7491 I don't think they need another person's input... Got an idea 😂 Entrance fee for the maintenance of air conditioning infrastructure, paid on the way out and amount depending on time spent

[@sonyabowler7491]

Oh dear..@@timogeerties3487

[@endrebe1868]

Norwegian here, I just had neck surgery on dec 1'st last year. My total out of pocket was about 300 NOK (30$), that was for painkillers after i went home. I just cant imagine having to pay those horrible amounts Americans have to.

[@helenlloyd6564]

I was hospitalised for 3 weeks. I was so well looked after I didn't want to go home. The care I had from the Para-medics from point of collection to arrival at hospital, the nurses doctors were first class. The services of catering and cleaning were brill. I couldn't have had any better care even if I paid for it. And the food was excellent I couldn't fault the quality and variety it was delicious. My respect goes out to every single person in the great british N.H.S. And especially to the 3 hospitals I was in. Prince Philip, Glangwilli and Withybush xxx.

[@gabbymcclymont3563]

Yesterday i got a phone appointment , the Dr called but wanted to see me at my home. He was great and a few hourse later 2 nurses came to my house to pack a hole in my side, they will be back on Sunday. My meds were dropped off at my door, no wonder i love the NHS.

[@taranvainas]

In my country, Spain, in addition to having universal and free healthcare, we can choose the doctor and also the nurse. My mother is 96 years old and the nurse comes every 15 days to check her normal vital signs and measure the amount of Sintrom she needs. She takes a lot of different medicines and needs diapers and we pay NOTHING at the pharmacy. And of course they bring the diapers home.

[@draculakickyourass]

Spain is the,,not like this'' or ,,asi no'' example....4 months waiting a ,,cita'' to get a simple resonance? Meantime in some eastern european conturies you have it in the same day the doctor sends you,no cita,no bs. A friend of mine had a knee accident ,,rotura de ligamento'' in february,,the doctor appointed him to resonance in june,but he had the luck his wife is romanian,so she took him to Romania at a universitary hospital, got the investigation in hours and operated next day......meantime all the treatment the spanish doctor gave him was Nurofen....

[@catecotter1]

I am in Canada and my father is 99, has heart problems and cancer. My sister has moved into his home with him. He has a nurse visit once a week plus a paramedic. Also a doctor comes monthly. All, of course, at no cost. He takes his own blood pressure daily which is sent over the net to the hospital. No cost there either. Up until very recently he was still able to take his daily 1/2 kilometre walk on his country road. This is not sad, This is 99 years of a good life moving slowly and contentedly towards its end at home with good care at no huge $ cost.

[@taranvainas]

@@catecotter1 It must be very sad to grow old in the USA without being a millionaire. Some elderly people are forced there to work until they are very old in order to survive. These days a video has gone viral in which a 72-year-old woman fell to the ground while she was delivering pizza... A society that does not take care of its elderly is an inhumane and tremendously unfair society. Here the state even pays for them for vacations in the summer, they don't pay for public transportation or museums, and they pay only half at cinemas and public shows. My mother has a device at home with a button in case she ever has an emergency and I'm not there. This allows me to be calm when I have to leave the house, knowing that if necessary they will send a doctor or an ambulance directly. They call her regularly every two weeks just to say hello and see how she is doing, they even congratulate her when it is her birthday. And of course it is a free service. My best wishes to your dad and the family.

[@patsytyler2199]

In 2010 I had an emergency appendectomy. I was told afterwards that it was gangrenous and about to burst. The NHS saved my life. The cost? Zero. Just the petrol my husband used to drive three miles to visit me, and £1 parking fee each time.

[@jliang70]

No sure, before I can answer that question I need to know how much i pay for a hospital stay and surgery. I was in the hospital in Australia last year, I broke my wrist during an accident, I went to see a doctor and refer to a radiologist, then went to a public hospital, stay in the hospital for 3 days and had a open wrist surgery, follow up with 4 visits for physio, 4 visit to orthopedic specialists, I paid zero dollars for the services. If I use google as my source of cost for the services I received in Australia, Vist a GP $300-600 I am looking at $12000 for staying in the hospital, open surgery on wrist with plate and screw is about $11800, four session with physio $400, four session with orthopedics $500, xray on the wrist probably $600. that is around $25600. I can see why most people will say US health care system sucks.

[@UniquelyPenny]

As a Canadian born medically fragile I’d 100% be dead if I had been born in the USA. I was flown by helicopter from my city to a major children’s about an hour away, my mom didn’t get a bill for that. I needed 3 MRIs and 1 CT in 2023 I paid $0 out of pocket. I rely on inhalers to be able to maintain my lung function which I will grant you still kind of pricy even here but with benefits through work, they are affordable. I claimed over $33K in meds in all of 2023…it’s wild. It hurts my heart listening to all the hoops people in the USA have to jump through to get basic care.

[@AleaumeAnders]

Ryan, we do pay less than $400 a month health insurance for a family of four. No copays, no deductibles, max €10 per day in hospital, max €200 a year for meds... Do your kid, your wife and yourself a favour: come over here to sane country. Honestly, almost any first world country (heck many third world countries) are better than where you are right now.

[@chronic2023]

Where do you live that you have to pay private health insurance in the EU and WHY? I have lived in Sweden for over 40 years and have never paid for private health insurance. I pay as a part of my taxes, of course, but never out of pocket. I don't have any deductibles, either, and pay 100 SEK ($10 US/€9) in my region for a visit to the doctor. There's a yearly cap on both doctor's fees and medicine.

[@MaryRaine929]

@@garyiow8482 I didn‘t. Just answered that in my own interest. 🤣

[@blablubb8615]

@@garyiow8482 I think the 10 Euro per day in Hospital gave it away.

[@nitka711]

⁠@@chronic2023in Germany you have the option to go private if you earn enough. You still get everything paid but you have to pay it yourself first and then you get it back. It‘s better then the normal health insurance, when you are young, but it get‘s really expensive when you get older. And any kids and spouses need to be insured seperately. You can‘t get out either, if you do not loose your job or moove to a different country. We had this problem. „Thankfully“ we had the misfortune that my husband lost his job a few years back. It was tough, but at least he could switch to the non private insurance and now me and the kids are included in his plan without extra pay.

[@AleaumeAnders]

@@anthonyg4671 As garyjow wrote: it doesn't really matter. Precise numbers will vary from country to country, but essentially almost any developed country (and many not so developed ones) are better than the USA. And no, it doesn't matter much either if its tax funded, mandatory public insurance or regulated private insurance. What matters, is that the government regulates prices instead of guaranteeing max profits.

[@skate2ice]

Great video! I like exposing the healthcare scam system in America.

[@sushi777300]

A lot of problems in US society can be traced back to the lack of good health care for everyone

[@helenwood8482]

I'm in hospital now. Just had surgery by some of the best surgeons in the country. Very grateful to the NHS. Without them, I would have lost my left foot.

[@bigtom1948]

Thank your lucky stars you aren't in the US of A. You would enjoy the freedom of only needing one shoe and sock!

[@amenhotepthethird209]

The worst part is that many Americans don't want everyone to have access to healthcare. That's part of what makes universal systems to great, we essentially all pay for each other and those less able to pay. Real patriotism.

[@WezMan444]

That’s the problem with America and their love of individualism, so many people can’t stand the idea of paying for somebody else. They don’t have the capacity and imagination to realise that it indirectly benefits them as well.

[@bigtom1948]

It's the old why should I pay for those "Others" (Fill in your favorite racist or other prejudice here.) issue. Plenty of money for guns and hate, not so much for the care of each other. Also there is the never being able to escape from debt even after bankruptcy you and your family are STILL responsible for that bloated debt. It's just plain evil!

[@WiggyB]

@@WezMan444 The irony of this is that even this personal insurance is a form of collectivism. No one pays their whole bill, instead they pool with others based on risk. Universal healthcare is simply a national risk pool.

[@stevedevries2891]

That's not true. You can not be denied health care in the US. There are health care programs available for low income individuals. We pay taxes so that those under Medicare can get the care they need. The idea that "many Americans don't want everyone to have access to health care" is an idiotic statement made by someone who clearly doesn't know any Americans. Shame on you.

[@MrSnivvel]

Do you think the millions of illegals that walked across the southern border have a right to healthcare that would be paid by you? Just because you and I, and now all the illegals here, have to live under the same national government doesn't mean we're equals or considered the same. Being an "American" has lost all meaning and being "patriotic" to such is an absolute absurdity. You, me, and all the illegals hold no allegiance or bond with each other.

[@fosterfortnite4967]

I'm in UK. I had a heart attack in 2012. Had a five day stay in 1 hospital. Many tests and drugs. Then a 10 mile ambulance ride to another hospital. Stayed for 2 days and had 4 stents implanted. Left with a bag full of drugs. Not a penny spent. There was plenty after care too. All free. I'm still taking the drugs at a cost of £10 a month

[@silverutopia]

I take it you have a prepayment certificate for your meds? If not, ask your pharmcist about it. Assuming you need more than one item per month, it's cheaper.

[@rocksteadfarm]

Indocrination about the perils of 'socialism' has created a society that is reluctant to accept that fair wealth distribution is the foundation of freedom. I imagine that most Americans couldn't even offer an accurate definition of socialism or explain what a liberal democracy is. If you want good healthcare, you need a good government. Good luck with the 2024 elections, I hope common sense and justice prevail.

[@booboss]

Not in America - don't count on it

[@goonerOZZ]

Yeah there's only 2 parties in the US and the lobbyists have already paid for both... You can pick anyone , and the result won't change.

[@stannumowl]

The more I learn about American society the more I see it as the cherry pick of worst parts from brits and socialist countries. And their healthcare system is the most socialistic thing I have ever seen in my life.

[@booboss]

@@stannumowl "And their healthcare system is the most socialistic thing I have ever seen in my life."...... you mean American one or Brits one? I'm lost...

[@bigtom1948]

Saint Ronnie O'Raygun was doing "Public Service Announcements" on TV in the 1950's to rail against the threat of socialized medicine and took that crap all the way to the White House!

[@lennat24]

In Germany we can also choose where we want to get treated. And we have the right to ask for another doctor, if we don't trust him or her in any way. This is one of our basis for human dignity and our free right. You guys should also go on fighting for your freedom of universal health care.

[@speedygonzales7147]

Wird nicht funktionieren, weil sie den Markt niemals werden regulieren wollen. Das sehen die als sozialistisch an und die meisten Amis machen keinen Unterschied zwischen Sozialismus und Kommunismus. Die werden diesen Weg nie einschlagen können. Die Versicherer müssten als erstes gezwungen werden Preisverhandlungen mit einer noch zu gründenden staatlichen Einrichtung zu machen, dann müssen sie gezwungen werden alle lizensierten Ärzte im Land anzuerkennen und keinen wegen der Wahl seines Arztes auszuschließen. Dann geht es weiter mit den Krankenhäusern, den Notaufnahmen, Ambulanzen usw. Diese Einrichtungen brauchen einen Umlagepool von Geldern aus denen sie bezahlt werden. Und dann ist da die breite Bevölkerung, die obwohl sie leidet nicht kapiert, daß sie es schlechter haben als die meisten dritte Welt Länder nur um angebliche Freiheit nicht aufzugeben werden die Republikaner jederzeit diese Karte spielen um jegliche Bemühungen in dieser Richtung zu vernichten. Dachte einmal auch es müsste doch möglich sein... aber leider nein.

[@valsyaranamual6853]

They won't. Don't know the difference between socialism and communism!

[@Dr3amWorks]

Hey mate, @ryanwuzer - you made a comment there (referring to US folks being fat because of lifestyle and not necessarily healthcare). But I would argue here, that it’s also healthcare issue. Every time I go to my regular check with my GP (I’m from Czech Republic), we also go through the discussion of diets, lifestyle, how to handle my slight overweight, what exercise to focus on, etc. I’m 40 and we do have these discussions part of the normal GP visits from beginning… all covered by our healthcare… So yeah, if you don’t go to professionals (doctors), because it’s super expensive and result in listening to stupid “hacks” videos on YT or TikTok selling you overpriced supplements you do not need… I call it a healthcare problem nonetheless…

[@maryannkeena]

In Canada we have Universal Health care. We CAN choose our own doctor and they are among the best in the world. No health care system is perfect but ours is excellent, reliable and available to ALL. If you want to pay for upgrades like a private room in hospital and some ‘elective’ surgeries like plastic surgery etc. you can. We pay for some of our prescription costs. NO ONE here goes bankrupt over medical expenses. It’s a “no brainer”! ❤

[@heidimueller1039]

Also, soon dental care will be covered too.

[@xxparan01axx11]

That story about the guy dying because of diabetes makes me angry, totally preventable in any 1st world country

[@helfgott1]

Education and healthcare are human rights, period 😊😊

[@TTTzzzz]

That's what we think.

[@Kari.F.]

Agreed!

[@Gsoda35]

actually, that is not a human right but something else.

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

Housing as well.

[@bigtom1948]

You would expect so but Murica, Freedumb!!!

[@dufflepod]

Q. What is the role of The State? A. To look after its citizens. That's it! It may necessarily involve maintaining an army, building road, raising taxes, whatever. But - a state should look after its people first and foremost.

[@johnam1234]

I really enjoyed your video and comments plus learning more about the world around me.

[@mats7492]

If you think about it.. Cars in the US are better insured than millions of people..

[@hughtube5154]

The whole reason jaywalking became a crime was to give motorists priority over pedestrians. Cars > people in the US.

[@mats7492]

@@hughtube5154 indeed

[@rev.baalsbum1187]

Can't speak for other countries, but I noticed the list regarding unit costs for insuline for the UK was £7.52. Not a unit cost, that £7.52 was the cost of one item on a prescription, which would be 4 weeks supply, however, life changing conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, cancer and many others means you are exempt from paying the nominal prescription charge(at the time of writing this the charge is now £9.45. btw, I checked the costs of all the drugs I am prescribed against US prices, $1200-$1600, per month.I pay zero pounds.

[@karinmcinally6842]

Not the whole of the UK as in Scotland we don’t pay for our prescriptions.

[@wlodek7422]

I find it hilarious how at university we just trained insulin injections with real insulin pens... I imagine it would cost quite a lot in USA

[@catherineday951]

We (Canada here) pick our own doctors...

[@susanbearchell6436]

Hi Tyler, I live in London. I'm a 66 year old lady, I felt a lump on my collarbone in JULY 2022. I got an appointment with my GP who referred me to the hospital to have a scan, I saw a consultant, had a scan and a follow up appointment all within 4 weeks. CHARGE £0.00. Everything was OK.

[@hardyboy1959]

Canadian here... so much truth in this one video. Every American should see it! Thanks for posting!

[@Norseraider84]

This is what unregulated capitalism looks like 👎🏼- and I am a proud European capitalist ❤

[@lbergen001]

Yep, USA is such a great country....so much freedom, so much opportunities, but don't get sick....

[@zac8286]

@@lbergen001other then having the ability to shoot each other what other freedoms do you have that a 1st world county does not?

[@mrebk3358]

@@zac8286lool good point

[@lbergen001]

@@zac8286 let me refer to one: In my country everyone is free of the risk going bankrupt in case of illness. But there are more,

[@zac8286]

@lbergen001 Oh, you don't live in America? Sorry lol, your 1st comment sort of looks like you do. My bad

[@dawnhill1950]

My partner has just come out of hospital after suffering a badly infected leg. He was in there for 16 days, came out with a massive bagful of medications, creams, dressings etc. While in there he was having IV antibiotics, blood tests, dressings and various other treatments, including scans to check on the heart and kidney functions, as the infection had affected them too. He was fed three meals a day, with a hot drink offered between meals. It cost us nothing, zilch, nought, zero other than the cost of the fuel in our car to get him there as it wasn't urgent enough for an ambulance to be sent. I'm in the UK and cannot praise our understaffed, under pressure National Health Service enough. Yes - everyone who pays tax contributes towards it, but it's a very, very small price to pay to get treatment when needed. I cannot even imagine how much debt this would have plunged us into if we were in USA, assuming we could have even got the treatments needed.

[@oliviamoore3426]

I went into cardiac arrest due to a major heart attack, they restarted my heart after the third attempt, I was put into a medical coma for 2 days to save my brain, I was at the hospital for 2 weeks for checkups. I paid about $40 for the doctors visit. My meds are about $240 a year. Had I lived in the USA, a months worth of just one med would cost me about $2400. That would be $28800 a year. I wouldn’t survive in the USA, because I wouldn’t be able to buy the meds that keep me alive.

[@charlesrussell8137]

America, the rest of the world thinks you are crazy with your healthcare, a state run system is clearly the cheapest as there is one huge buyer of drugs and equipment. Ryan, you are correct that the lower life expectancy is partly due to the obesity in the US: Maybe you could find a video on the additives and corn syrup you use in your foods.

[@aaronburdon221]

I'll take higher prices and the government stays out of my business.

[@sooskevington6144]

I'm English and live in the UK. I had to look up the term co-pay on Google to learn what it meant. It seems, as far as I can tell, that the only co-pay within the NHS is for dental treatment where even NHS patients pay a portion of the cost.

[@ninemoonplanet]

I had to search for two things, copay and "pre-existing condition". No such thing here and the OOP out of pocket expenses are usually parking fees here, not extraneous costs.. It's mind boggling.😳

[@baptiste4438]

Good to see you're feeling better and not coughing as much as you were :)

[@joan279]

In Ireland, Diabetes is considered a chronic, long-term illness, and everything is covered FREE - insulin, doctor's and consultant's visits, nurse visits, outpatients, hospital stays, gauze, wipes ... EVERYTHING FREE FOREVER!

[@bingo000]

In the USA, the medical health care is like paying for a membership to be able to get into a private club. Once you're in the club, you still have to pay for extra services, food and drinks. But don't you worry, depending on your membership tier, you may get some extra discounts on some of these services.

[@Attirbful]

that hospital bill! $430.000 for room and care. Did they buy the wing for that?! Here in Germany, it is €10 per night max….

[@filipv.5019]

I live in Belgium. We are also FREE to pick our doctor or get a second opinion. Our health insurance does not intervene at all. They just pay the bills (plus an allowance if you are not able to work)

[@Henoik]

"We're free to pick our own doctor" - so is most people in the rest of the world as well.. It'd be weird for me as a Norwegian not to be able to choose my own doctor. Granted, I can only switch my general practitioner twice a year (once more if I move to another municipality), but I still have the choice.

[@philipberthiaume2314]

In Canada, if a doctor knows that u can't afford something, they will get to u for free. A good acquaintance of mine is an MD. I cannot believe that in the US, ppl are actually refused life altering medication because of money?!!! I would not accept that, If i were a citizen in the US..

[@daveg2104]

I know that people needing expensive meds can get them cheaper under a Drug Assistance Program implemented by some pharmaceutical companies and states. It's probably a bit of a lottery though.

[@stevec5922]

In the UK we have the NHS. Treatment is free at the point of use. That said, if you are in employment you do pay a percentage of your wage into 'National Insurance' but this is deducted before you get your pay check so you don't really miss it, but almost everyone , wether they are in work or not, is covered by the NHS - everyones 'National Insurance' contributions basically go into a big pot for all to use. Most prescription treatments are either free for certain people - overs 60's, those with long term medical conditions, children, pregnant women etc or for the rest covered by a prescription fee of about £10. Most operations are covered by the NHS system and free. It isn't perfect, there can be long waits for minor operations and you may not get a choice of hospital or doctor but you WILL be treated.

[@GiorniVenibato]

The hospital charged us $100k🎉😢 for an afternoon of emergency visit for a cut in the hand! Luckily the insurance company paid the majority of the bill!

[@Sofasurfa]

For those complaining about the NHS, our system has saved my life twice and that of my newborn baby girl. I have a new right knee, new left hip. November 2022 they repaired my shattered right ankle and saved my right foot with 5 plus hours of surgery two metal plate and 21 pins and screws. Wait time for knee surgery was 7 months but that was due to my op being cancelled because of the hospital having to deal with a major RTA, wait time for my hip was just over 4 months. No complaints from me I didn’t have an issue waiting for non life saving surgery. Also I believe we are asking our system to deal with stuff it was never set up for. I seem to recall that the original idea was the provision of necessary healthcare free at the point of use.

[@xMiMiCatx]

I've been epileptic since I was 7 - which for me means i'm taking daily medication and am unable to work full time. The amount of times in my life I've woken up surrounded by paramedics, with or without injuries (broke my jaw last year put it that way), after seizures is ridiculous - I am so so thankful I am lucky enough to live in the UK with my situation. It genuinely scares me to imagine what it would have been like had I been born in the US

[@swanvictor887]

easy - you would be dead by now.

[@user-gv9kc7il3m]

Your medication is also free as is medication for anyone who has a lifetime illness. Also medication is free for children, old people or anyone on benefits. I have no problem paying for this in taxes as people do not choose to be ill.

[@mehallica666]

Fellow British epileptic here. Thank God for the NHS.

[@xMiMiCatx]

Correct@@user-gv9kc7il3m but even for those that do pay, a flat rate of £9.65 per drug or £31.25 for 3 months/£111.60 for 12 month for a prepayment card that covers all medication is still a way better deal than USA fees

[@tylersdog]

I must note that this is an election year in the US. Anyone going to mention any of this to the politicians? SO glad I am not an American!

[@davedevosbaarle]

Chances are that any politician who dares to promote affordable health care for all US citizens will lose votes. It's just crazy.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Remember one of Trump's election promises was to put an end to "Obamacare" and introduce a much better system. He managed neither. He asked "Who knew?" how complicated it was! Since most of the senior politicians would be millionaires, they don't know or care either.

[@Nikki-yn7yv]

American healthcare is all for profit that’s the difference ! I’m from the UK my husband is from the US , he’s lived here 27 years , Our daughter just had brain surgery and her daughter( our grand baby) had a cancer operation too, can you imagine the trauma you go through with these illnesses without having to worry about how you’re going to keep a roof over your head or be in debt for the rest of you and your families lives , a life that you’re trying to fight for ! Just to add our NHS is Amazing and saved both of there lives and continue with regular , preventive care . I feel like we made the right choice on where to settle, No where is perfect and everywhere has problems but some things should be prioritised, a country should work for its people not rip them off!

[@anselmvonkoroisau9095]

I live in the Fiji Islands, my father had fluid in his chest and couldn't sleep laying down. They did ultrasound on his chest and drained the fluid on the first day and was sleeping on his back by night time, we spend 3 more days in the hospital (meals and round the clock medicine and checkup FOR FREE). Then send us off with 2 weeks of medicine supply. No Insurance... No payment... EVERYTHING WAS FREE. Plus Fiji has very basic and lowest taxes in the world.

[@MarkLangdahl]

I wonder when the United States are finally going to actually have a health care system. Because what they have right now doesn't qualify for that term.

[@linmonPIE]

It’ll probably take a full blown revolution. Things are structured in such a way that there’s too many powerful special interest groups that depend on the “healthcare system” as it is.

[@Timien]

Medieval times where better then what the USA has now.

[@Ekitchi0]

More than the copay, what i find insane is the reimbursement cap. In France if i need anything big and expensive it will be 100% covered. What is usually not covered are small elective things. That’s why medical bankruptcy doesn’t exist here. The whole point of insurance is to prevent you from getting bankrupt because you got unlucky. Insurance is there to cover the worst case scenarios. It’s up to the insurance to calculate the odds and average cost to set it’s prices.

[@ninemoonplanet]

It's rare to actually see how much Canadians pay per year in taxes for healthcare, but I found out. For a complete year, all inclusive, except dental, my TOTAL cost is $780 CA which is roughly $600USD. I don't need to think about how much I have saved, how much a treatment may cost, how much an ambulance would be, and any medication is roughly 20% of the cost in the US. A friend in the US showed me an itemized list of the costs for ONE day in an outpatient clinic stay. $85 for ONE Ibuprofen pill. 😳

[@johnhendriks4085]

Here in the Netherlands we have a few services (Gas, Electricity, Public transport and a few others) that were privatised with the idea that if you leave it to the market with competition, prices would go down. This never happened. Prices will always go up if you leave it to the market.

[@normjones4204]

I was diagnosed with lung cancer almost 5 years ago, within a week I had dozens of tests and procedures done to determine best course of action, it turned out in my case to be radiation therapy. My cost for the MRIs, CT scans, PET, blood work, exploratory surgery, and a week of radiation treatments was 0 dollars. It did cost me 35 dollars for parking though. Given I am living on a small disability pension I would not have lived in the USA health care system.

[@sonyabowler7491]

You'd be what they call, "unalive!"

[@catherinerobilliard7662]

I remember a Go Fund Me for an 18 year old American with skin cancer; she’d just come off her parent’s health insurance. Every time she begged for help, the brown dot on her nose grew, and slowly her nose was eaten away, and the cost of treatment rose with it. I hope she’s okay.

[@jacqf3583]

As an Aussie example - as a single

[@gregself6203]

In Australia. I'm retired on a partial government pension. I recently noticed blood in my urine at about 10pm. I went to hospital emergency, had a sample sent to pathology, was admitted, had breakfast, saw a doctor at 9am, who said it was an urinary tract infection and was discharged with antibiotics, had a CAT scan next day, doctor called to say all OK, Total cost, $200 for a private room. The American health system is Capitalism at its worst. "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."

[@saberdarrieux4508]

In the US they aren't even allowed to get poorer. Because they die first.

[@dufilmstjedenmist]

Land of the free... to choose which doctor you're not going to see because you can't afford them.

[@Yandarval]

For the most of us. ANY bill from the hospital would be a shock.

[@chsh1]

The more I see these reaction videos to health care from Americans the more I have hope the U.S will sort out their system. Yes it seems impossible the way it has gone but videos like this are raising awareness, keep pushing for better. Also for a country so globally active in apparently looking after those less fortunate isnt it weird they dont look after their own??

[@deegeeas6644]

I have experienced this in America and my mom had to give birth at a charity hospital (according to her, it was closed down a few years later). In the current country I live in however, any meds are free (as long as you are a citizen, and you can get them from the public hospital's pharmacy) and pay a fraction if hospitalized. I am thankful for that.

[@Chris.2911]

The United Kingdom has just produced a tablet to combat prostate cancer and it costs an unbelievable £200. In the United States it is available for... $38,000!!!

[@MMartec]

It is quite shoking that is going on in the US.. In Portugal we complain about the National Health System (SNS or Serviço Nacional de Saúde), because of a recent lack of staff that often leads to long waiting times for patients, and low wages of doctors and nurses that often move to other EU countries with higher wages, hence the reduced staff.. So, it is not perfect (although before elections they always raise the wages of doctors/nurses and teachers a bit, to please the crowds), and yet it is a lot better than in the US... Because hey, it still is mostly free of charge (well, you pay monthly taxes for it), highly regarded as very good, very digitalized and well, it's universal! And it is considered the most important thing to preserve and further develop in the country! Plus, we can also pay more for private hospitals/clinics if we have the cash or the right insurance, or if the company we work for, true for most cases, pays the bill... Sill, even then, what they make you pay for it in the US is far more, it's mad.. and clearly not because it's better, but to make a profit, it's crazy..

[@_Churchy]

I'm almost 48 yo. I had cancer when I was 13, endometriosis at 30, diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome at 34, I've had 5 major surgeries and spent many weeks in various hospitals in the Uk. If I lived in the US I'd be dead many times over. The NHS is not a perfect system but I for one greatly appreciate it, we're lucky to have it.

[@AlmendraBaez]

In economy theory, prices have something called elasticy, saying if you raise the price, how more many less people will buy it. And with medicin, you are forced to take it, so the curve is flat, they can raise the price as much as you want and pharma companies will sell almost the same amount. In those cases, is where econometrics shows that the intervention of the sttes needs to step in, like setting up a national pharma compnay so you'llhave low cost option in the market, or a regulation on some prices.

[@qazatqazah]

One of the saddest episodes yet. I'm nearly crying over here. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@spfisterer3651]

Me too. Sitting silent and sad in front of the screen, letting it sink in.

[@Nikioko]

American freedom means you have the liberty to choose whether you want to eat or heat or get medical attention. If you can't afford all three, you have to prioritize.

[@aaronburdon221]

Grow your own food, heat your own place and pay for your medical treatment. Not that hard actually.

[@vascoapolonio2309]

Under the Portuguese NHS, the Class A Insulin its FREE to everyone

[@LeperMessiah2]

I can choose my own doctor in Norway too. The problem with that is that when word gets around that it is a good doctor the waiting list can be rather long. It is however easy in smaller communities as the waiting is maybe 5 days if one just sets up an appointment for normal healthchecks and similar. In all other cases it's straight in.

[@lennartandersson75]

My daughter, who has diabetes 1, receives all care and materials for free, such as insulin, syringes, sensors, etc. A month ago she cut a tendon in her hand. It has involved a 4 hour operation and 8 follow-ups with help to hopefully regain all movement. It has cost approx. SEK 600, but then a cost protection came in which meant that the rest is free. Travel, medicines etc. are paid for by her insurance via the trade union she belongs to. Should there be problems after a year, she can claim compensation for percentage disability!

[@alexpoetov3213]

Even in such an autocratic country as Russia you'll get insulin for free if you have diabet ...