On Socialized Medicine

[The following post was assembled from emails I've received.]

Socialized medicine is defined as a system for providing medical and hospital care for all at a nominal cost by means of government regulation of health services and subsidies derived by taxation.

Other countries such as Canada, France and Australia have adopted this sort of health care system. Is it in the best interest of the United States, which already has supplemental health care systems such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Health Administration, to adopt this method?

Many say no. It is a fact that the USA spends more on health care than Canada and France, but it is also arguable that the health care provided in the States is more advanced and that not having socialized medicine allows you to have more options regarding alternative treatment, getting second opinions, and choosing who administers their health care services to you.

There is a lot of evidence that suggests longer waiting periods for treatment in countries that have socialized medicine -- long waiting periods for critical treatment can be life-threatening. Also, socialized medicine can cause a shortage of health care providers.

Would that mean that health care is more efficient in the USA without socialized medicine although expensive, than in those countries that use the more inexpensive approach of socialized medicine? (Actually, the assertion that socialized medicine is 'cheaper' is itself quite debatable - much of the cost of medical care in the US is paid to lawyers due to the high litigation risk faced by doctors.) Again some would argue yes, because a health care system that reduces costs will be more attractive to people who could not in the past afford it. It is a concern that more people will seek medical attention for minor problems which in turn will occupy physicians when more urgent medical issues may arise.

An issue some Americans have is letting someone else choose what is right for them. They are never eager to let one of their rights be taken over by others, especially the government. With socialized medicine the right to choose a physician and a hospital is nearly non-existent. Most, would be willing to pay more to choose. Health insurance allows this choice to be made while trying to keep health care affordable. But, the choice again is up to the insured. Which type of insurance is good enough in the case of an emergency?

Another question arises: if socialized medicine were implemented in the USA, do you think that outsourcing of health care would become an issue? Would people find other ways to get their treatments without the long waiting periods by traveling across the world for them?