Holly, you've brought up a few good points
I've been sitting back reading this post evolve and it has been interresting to say the least. Though I have no experience with the socialized medicine I feel I have nothing to add. The pros and cons to both sides of this subject are truely controversial. In reading some of the posts here about lack of medical professionals, in say, Canada, or parts there of, is not surprising due to salaries in a Socialized system. But, here in the USA, many states are loosing docs as fast as they can run due to high malpractice costs. Our system is just as flawed in that respect. Many docs are leaving private practice and joining hospitals or large corporations that pay their malpractice insurance or leaving certain states all together, like Pennsylvania where I live. This whole problem thrickles down to higher insurance rates which a majority of the dwindleing middles class can not afford so they are left without insurance. I have to pay around $12,000 a year to keep our insurance, but we can not afford to be without it. Those that have to self pay, are charged a higher price than those,say with Blue Cross/Blue Sheild. If you have a surgery that costs $10,000 and have insurance that your surgeon participates with he has to accept the lower fee, say around $6,000 that the insurance co. allows. If you are a self pay with no insurance, you are expected to pay the full $10,000. Just an example, it should be the other way around.
So, our problems in the US healthcare all come from the fact that healthcare is governed by greedy lawyers who will sue docs for anything driving the cost of malpractice insurance the docs have to pay, that drives the cost of insurance we have to pay for healthcare, and a large majority can't afford it anymore.
Young adults here in the US are really hurt by this whole system. Once they are 21, they are no longer eligable to remain on the parents insurance. Many of these kids are in college or just out of school and don't have jobs that support medical insurance. There is a "Cobra" but is only temporary and extremely expensive and most kids can't afford it. If they have a medical emergency or need surgery, they are out of luck. Then, try and get help from the state you live in, good luck. Been there with our 24 year old who had to have knee surgery after and accident and was left with $15,000 worth of medical bills. After piles of forms and 6 months later, no luck.
Anyway just thought I would add to the mix here.
Cindy
