US health care is extremely expensive. One could assume that expensive means great quality, but this proved to be incorrect especially when COVID-19 hit the US. Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary was a very interesting read that identified the issues in the US health care system, its effect on society, and how other countries have tackled the same issues. Timothy Snyder's experience in multiple hospitals in Europe served as great points of comparison for the issues he raised.
One of the greatest issues in health care is the focus on profitability. Snyder points out that compared to European hospitals, US hospitals tend to give less time and focus on each patient because they don't want people occupying a bed for too long. This leads to doctors offering quick fixes like pills instead of physical therapy that can be more beneficial for the patient. Pills are also preferred by pharmaceuticals because they provide quick profits, unlike physical therapies. This is not to say that US doctors don't care, this is a systemic issue where doctors are influenced to offer care based on the hospital or insurance's algorithm instead of what they think is best for each individual patient.
With regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US President failed to provide transparency and restricted access to information that could have saved lives. Initially, the President did not want to bring infected people from the cruise ship in Japan back home simply because he did not want COVID cases to double because of a cruise ship that "wasn't our fault." He even discouraged testing because it increased the number of COVID cases. He used misinformation and the lack of information to influence others and test the loyalty of governors. He stated that resources would only go to governors who were loyal to him, leaving other states to fight for medical resources.
It's unfortunate to see the issues in the system, but it's also important for these to be addressed. Health care should be more accessible to all not only those who are privileged. The idea that health care should not be available because people who are "undeserving" benefit should be abolished. Snyder has provided ideas to address these concerns based on his experience in other countries. The US should learn from other countries and try to improve its health care system.
It's shocking to learn that doctors are influenced by the hospital or insurance's algorithm. I think that this mindset of people undeserving of healthcare benefit is influenced by the individualistic culture of the U.S. This post also reminded me of medical tourism, which is people flying to other countries to have surgery because it is cheaper.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it is very interesting. It is unfortunate how much healthcare is influenced by the government. This isn't right, especially in a time like this when people need it. I will consider reading this book because healthcare systems is something that interests me.
ReplyDeleteI love how current and relevant this book is and it seems like a really interesting read. The cost of healthcare is such a contentious issue and while what happened to many people throughout the pandemic was awful, I'm almost glad that the pandemic brought so much attention to the disparity between what we pay for and what we get because it will hopefully lead to much more serious conversations about this topic.
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. Healthcare system just baffles me. We're supposed to be this great, highly advanced country but anyone could have a heart attack and go bankrupt because the treatment is expensive. Every time I have a health issue I debate whether or not it's even worth going to the doctor because most of the time they prescribe antibiotics and send you on your way without thorough tests.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly, I really like your perspective about the healthcare system in U.S. Me and my girlfriend, we all had some health problem this year and it is always taking us long period of waiting before we get to see our primary doctor. And sometimes we have to beg our doctor to give us permission to run some body examinations. I hope there is a way to solve this systematic issue but maybe it is more complicated than we expected.
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