CitySimon

I think you guys have been upside down too long if you think that sort of crazy idea will work. It's crazy talk I tell you! You're crazy.

Based on my in-depth research into that sort of thing I have been reliably informed, repeatedly, that it doesn't work and, even if it did, it DEFINITELY wouldn't work in America. So you're obviously deluded.

Also, socialism is the root of all evil...etc... Death panels...etc... will result in forced abortions for all (or something like that), [insert random indoctrinated propoganda or talking point here] blah blah blah.

Deancm

Isn't that stuff already going on in America at the moment? FEMA death camps etc.

gmralston

Trams are the best form of public transport around. Cities that got rid of them in the 50s-60s now regret it and some are spending mega bucks to get them back. Melbourne has the largest tram system in the world, it's the cars in there way that causes the problems :-)

ABCDiamond

Public health expenditure per capita, US$ PPP 2009
2,033.0 USA
1,512.0 Australia
1,454.0 UK

http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx

Top and Bottom
2,507 Norway
236 Mexico

These next ones are interesting...

Out-of-pocket expenditure on health, US$ PPP
683.0 USA
448.0 Australia
246.0 UK

Pharmaceutical expenditure per capita, US$ PPP
0.0 UK
335.0 Australia
533.0 USA

Lord_Farquar

Not that I am disagreeing with your stats, but I read recently in National Geographic magazine that the US spends around $7000 per person per year on health care while the UK/Australia spend around $3000!

polly_pod

No because everyone has different opinions...... and its up to each individual to get from it what they want no one else

CitySimon

The only way that is true is it if is including people with NO insurance into the list as well to bring it down significantly.

Just the portion (about 20%) of my health insurance premium comes to $1200 a year. I know people who have their own insurance who pay $1500 a month.

Others have told me they pay more each month for health insurance than they pay for their mortgage, home owners insurance and car loan combined.

Ah yes, the wonder of copays... $20 per visit, including repeat visits. I think I've racked up a good $200 this year so far in Doctor visits; however, this is the average, so it's possible.

Likewise, it's possible that this is correct and my figures seem to be about in line with that figure. With my insurance I'm currently paying a good $60 a month in prescriptions (the wonders of high colesterol and seasonal allergies).


The thing is that most Americans have never lived in a country where the universal health care exists and they also seem to have a fundamental underlying distrust in government. The idea of allowing the government to control their health care is a scary prospect for a lot of Shermans and I can't see that changing in the near future.


Also, before I get told off by one of your Ozzie-Mods, I would like to point out I did not cause this tangent.

CitySimon

CitySimon

Depends what news stations you watch. They're very much alive in the world of satire news:

http://www.theonion.com/video/us-fin...-intern,14241/

http://www.theonion.com/video/google...privacy,14358/

In the real world, not so much.

gmralston

You won't get told off becuase this tangent started on post 1, it's just one of those threads.

CitySimon

Yeah, I kind of got that idea when I was browsing through the thread. One of those threads where it took so many tangents it nearly folded right around and came back onto topic.

ABCDiamond

Now what was the topic again ?

oh yes...
That covers anything we discuss...

ponyrama

By eck this threads a corker!!!! I must remember to pop in more often and get back in on the action.