The example of what not to become

The Frontline videos show that the world’s health care systems promote health while the US health care system promotes profits. Other countries health care systems spend less money while giving better coverage to their citizens. We have become the example of what not to become; the world scoffs at us.

What struck me was the fact that patients in other countries never go bankrupt because of medical bills. Since the numbers are so high in the states (700,000 people/year) I thought that this must happen in other countries as well. But, every time the reporter asked about the bankruptcy issue in their country, the interviewees would respond as if they were asked if they had ever seen a unicorn.

From the last Frontline video the class concluded that for reform to happen in America there will have to be cuts made in the health care budget. But, who will take the cuts? From looking at other countries systems, it seems as though doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies are the ones receiving the cuts. Hospitals going broke? Standard prices for doctor and hospital visits? These ideas are unheard of here in the states. Although the service providers are the ones getting the short end of the stick, the ones receiving the services seem to be mostly happy. But, will this work in our profit-driven economy?