eurocare
May 26, 2009 8:05 AM Subscribe
What is healthcare like in the Netherlands? "The Dutch really have it together on health care, they have a system that has been proposed as a model for the US to emulate. In stark contrast to many other European systems, it's actually based entirely on private insurers, rather than a single-payer or entirely national system. Yet the Dutch system is universal, has far superior rates of satisfaction with quality of care and access, and still costs a fraction of what we pay for health care per capita in the US. How is this possible?"
This post was deleted for the following reason: Earlier this month. -- cortex
"How is this possible?"
Underwear Gnomes, like the kind from Southpark. Yeah I was just as shocked.
posted by Mastercheddaar at 8:14 AM on May 26, 2009
Underwear Gnomes, like the kind from Southpark. Yeah I was just as shocked.
posted by Mastercheddaar at 8:14 AM on May 26, 2009
By contrast, others might be interested in this piece from the New Yorker discussing the high cost of healthcare in the U.S. (about which I was tempted to post an FPP, but not sure if it's too much healthcare for one day): The Cost Conundrum.
There are serious problems in the healthcare system in the U.S. beyond simply who's paying the bills. A lot of bottom-up change is necessary, without which I suspect any type of sweeping, top-down change will inevitably fail.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:24 AM on May 26, 2009 [1 favorite]
There are serious problems in the healthcare system in the U.S. beyond simply who's paying the bills. A lot of bottom-up change is necessary, without which I suspect any type of sweeping, top-down change will inevitably fail.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:24 AM on May 26, 2009 [1 favorite]
The next biggest problem with healthcare in the U.S. -- after rabidly profit-taking insurers -- is the endemic social notion that everyone is entitled to live forever at almost any cost.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:33 AM on May 26, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:33 AM on May 26, 2009 [2 favorites]
Interesting article. I learned something about our system. F.i. how it rates internationally.
posted by jouke at 8:33 AM on May 26, 2009
posted by jouke at 8:33 AM on May 26, 2009
There are so many ways to have universal health care that works, and it's always good to have another example to point to. I think Switzerland has something similar, and according to what I remember from the PBS doc Sick Around the World, their system was voted in by a referendum.
posted by greatgefilte at 8:36 AM on May 26, 2009
posted by greatgefilte at 8:36 AM on May 26, 2009
A friend and I learned a little about Spanish and Dutch health care on a European road trip after we finished school.
While we were in Barcelona, we were horsing around taking goofy photos in an historical area at the top of a mountain. My friend crouched under an old cannon barrel for a photo. Then he forgot where he was and stood up abruptly, smashing his head into the bottom of the cannon. He had a giant cut on the top of his head and blood was flowing everywhere. We had to push to the front of the funicular line to get to the bottom of the mountain quickly.
We hailed a cab and asked to be taken to the nearest hospital. When we arrived, we went to the ER and explained what happened (my friend speaks Spanish). I waited in the waiting room while my friend was led off my hospital staff. Thirty minutes later, my friend came back, ready to leave. He had received stitches, antiseptic, and advice on how to treat the wound. No questions asked about insurance -- even though he was obviously an American tourist. The staff was fast and friendly.
The catch was that the stitches had to be removed in 5 days. We were in Amsterdam at that point. We looked up the nearest hospital in a guidebook and dropped by without an appointment. We explained the situation and what needed to be done. My friend went off with the hospital staff, and came back about 30 minutes later with his stitches removed, good as new. No questions asked about insurance, money, etc.
All of this blew our young and impressionable minds.
posted by brain_drain at 8:41 AM on May 26, 2009
While we were in Barcelona, we were horsing around taking goofy photos in an historical area at the top of a mountain. My friend crouched under an old cannon barrel for a photo. Then he forgot where he was and stood up abruptly, smashing his head into the bottom of the cannon. He had a giant cut on the top of his head and blood was flowing everywhere. We had to push to the front of the funicular line to get to the bottom of the mountain quickly.
We hailed a cab and asked to be taken to the nearest hospital. When we arrived, we went to the ER and explained what happened (my friend speaks Spanish). I waited in the waiting room while my friend was led off my hospital staff. Thirty minutes later, my friend came back, ready to leave. He had received stitches, antiseptic, and advice on how to treat the wound. No questions asked about insurance -- even though he was obviously an American tourist. The staff was fast and friendly.
The catch was that the stitches had to be removed in 5 days. We were in Amsterdam at that point. We looked up the nearest hospital in a guidebook and dropped by without an appointment. We explained the situation and what needed to be done. My friend went off with the hospital staff, and came back about 30 minutes later with his stitches removed, good as new. No questions asked about insurance, money, etc.
All of this blew our young and impressionable minds.
posted by brain_drain at 8:41 AM on May 26, 2009
Extra extra: Dutch health insurers even pay you back for treatment by so called alternative healers, even when those are just mediums just relaying messages from Mary, Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
posted by ijsbrand at 8:42 AM on May 26, 2009
posted by ijsbrand at 8:42 AM on May 26, 2009
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posted by kbanas at 8:07 AM on May 26, 2009