China's healthcare reform

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Right and I bet 20 years ago the OP predicted the Chinese would make better cheaper cars as well. You think we have problems? Try covering 1.3 billion people. Even if they spend 1000 bucks per capita it eats 25% of their GDP. What kind of healthcare do you recieve for 1000 bucks?

$1000 in China is probably has a hell of a lot more purchasing power than $1000 in the US.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
China became a major world power in the last 20 years, now that their government is going to be overburdened with rising health care costs, they too can wallow in mediocrity.

Nope, I don't think so. The advantage of UHC with single payer system is that it simplifies the system, gives purchasing power to the payer, and clarifies the cost structure in every level of the healthcare system. All of which will offset the cost of covering everyone.

The problem with the healthcare cost in the US is not because it covers too many people. There are plenty of countries with much broader coverage with less healthcare cost in term of % of GDP (oh by the way, US is way ahead of everyone in terms of cost as % of GDP). The problem with US is that there are too much complexity, too many layers, too many hands trying to grab money.

If China does it the right way, it will have a better system, with the country spending less in healthcare in terms of % of GDP and able to invest in something with good return with the money saved.

 

[ohnoes]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Right and I bet 20 years ago the OP predicted the Chinese would make better cheaper cars as well. You think we have problems? Try covering 1.3 billion people. Even if they spend 1000 bucks per capita it eats 25% of their GDP. What kind of healthcare do you recieve for 1000 bucks?

Good god, does no one understand purchasing power anymore?