Po-tay-to, po-tah-to

I've seen these videos quite a few times before, but it never fails to strike me just how many ways there are to accomplish the same thing. The thing is, there's no exact right or wrong answer to how to achieve a good health care system. For example, the UK utilizes gatekeepers, but Japan does not. But in both cases, their systems work out well enough for their people.


A health care system, in essence, should be specifically tailored. I think Taiwan's method of overhauling their system had the right idea: they looked abroad (we are, after all, living in a highly globalized culture now) to other systems that were working well, but didn't completely copy them. Instead, they picked and chose certain aspects that would fit best with their country and their demographic, and implemented them in a culturally appropriate manner.


Like Mr. Reid summarized in the videos, there are many similarities between the better health care systems around the world which the US should probably keep in mind. Keep administrative costs low...in Taiwan, for example, they rely heavily on electronic records for every little thing. Aggressively promote prevention and preventive services, like in the UK. Don't spend too much on health care, but at the same time, don't spend too little.


As a side note, I was quite amused to see the Brits protesting privatization...in distinct contrast to Americans protesting socialization.