Private Healthcare vs Public Healthcare: Why Americans Would Prefer Public Services
In a country like Sweden, where a combination of public and private healthcare exists, one can appreciate both its strengths and weaknesses. I was born in such a system but now live in the United States, where the cost and accessibility of healthcare are significantly different. The US healthcare system, primarily reliant on private insurance, offers less flexibility and choice to its citizens. As I will discuss, there are numerous reasons to prefer a public healthcare system, and I'll explore the benefits of this system through real-world examples of advanced medical treatments.
The Healthcare Cost Difference
Public healthcare systems often rely on taxes, with a significant portion being dedicated to healthcare coverage. In my homeland of Sweden, the cost of public healthcare is around 10% of total taxes. In contrast, in the United States, healthcare costs represent about 15% of an individual's salary, with many needing private insurance. This stark difference in cost highlights the financial strain faced by Americans.
Access to Advanced Medical Treatments
One of the major benefits of a public healthcare system is the ability to access advanced medical treatments more easily. Numerous highly effective treatments have recently entered the US market, and without access to a robust healthcare system, individuals in countries with limited healthcare markets would need to travel to the US for treatment.
Cancer Care in the US
Traditional cancer care, such as chemotherapy, offers limited success rates. For aggressive forms of lung cancer, the mortality rate can be as high as 90% when treated with traditional chemotherapy. In the United States, precision immunotherapies have dramatically improved these outcomes, reducing mortality rates to around 60%. These immunotherapies not only extend life but also alleviate symptoms for terminally ill patients. Public healthcare systems, such as those in some European countries, do not always fund such advanced treatments due to their high costs relative to quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) – the measure of the health benefit of the treatment.
Access to Broad-Spectrum Treatments
The United States also leads in treatments for various diseases, including SARS-CoV-2. For instance, a treatment like REGN-COV2, a neutralizing antibody, can completely neutralize the virus within three days of administration. This means that individuals with positive PCR tests and high risk factors for complications can receive this treatment freely. As of August 2021, over 600,000 REGN-COV2 treatments had been administered in the US, with millions more doses stockpiled. The effectiveness of such treatments is a testament to the advanced medical infrastructure in the US healthcare system.
Conclusion
While the US healthcare system has its advantages, there are compelling reasons to prefer a public healthcare system. The ability to access advanced treatments, reduce healthcare costs, and provide equitable access to medical care are crucial aspects. If you live in a nation with universal healthcare or a single-payer system, your experience with these treatments can offer insights into the strengths and limitations of such systems. Your comments can help shed light on the availability and effectiveness of these treatments in different healthcare environments.