Comment by peter422

Comment by peter422 2 days ago

11 replies

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Perhaps my language was too imprecise.

My argument is that specifically the best care in the US is the best in the world. We have the best doctors and the best technology and the best treatments. This is not completely universal but it is also generally accurate.

Whether or not this care is accessible or the median quality is care is good, that is different.

I’m just saying we do get something for the money, it’s not like it all gets thrown down the drain. The best and brightest come to the US to get some of the huge spigots of money in the US healthcare system and it does drive innovation.

orwin 2 days ago

Can't you just look at life expectancy, and life expectancy in good health? Because the data I found doesn't put the US in the top anything. Even if you're in the top decile of earners.

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  • AstroBen 2 days ago

    How does that account for a population who..

    ..74% are overweight or obese

    ..less than 10% meet the fruit and vegetable recommendations

    ..25% get the recommended amount of exercise

    ..eat more than 70g added sugar a day

    Healthcare really has the deck stacked against it however you look at it

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    • BeetleB 2 days ago

      Your mistake is separating those items from healthcare, when it's part of it.

      Even in the US, many (most?) insurances and healthcare systems have programs to address all those. My HMO certainly does - I can engage with them and craft a healthy nutrition plan, and my doctor can be involved in that as well. Ditto for exercise.

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AstroBen 2 days ago

So you're saying the US optimizes entirely for the best of the best care, without regard for what happens to the 2nd tier? (that the majority of the population actually use)

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  • peter422 2 days ago

    I think at least the median citizen in the US has very good access to the best possible care. It may or may not be affordable but you can get it.

    And yes, that is what I think we optimize for.

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    • machomaster 2 days ago

      If care is not affordable and makes average people just one accident away from bankruptcy, then it might well not exist in calculations. This is akin to saying the USA is the richest country because it has more billionaires than any other country.

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waterTanuki 2 days ago

This is a highly recycled talking point that only applies to people lucky enough to live in the vicinity of Standford, UCLA, Mass Gen, Cleveland Clinic, or Johns Hopkins AND afford a visit and is extremely dismissive of the millions of other Americans who can't. Rural hospitals have been shuttered and some people have even been turned away at emergency rooms now. This claim simply does not match up to reality, no matter how many graphs you put together.

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danans 2 days ago

> 15 out of the top 50 and 4/6 top hospitals

> I’m just saying we do get something for the money

Who is this "we" that gets to be treated at the 15-out-of-50 and 4-out-of-6 top hospitals in the world?

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vel0city 2 days ago

> the best care in the US is the best in the world

For a few Americans. Not for all Americans, and probably not even for most Americans. There's far more to the United States than New England and Southern California.

Don't get me wrong, if I had some rare cancer or other strange disease, chances are I'll want to try and get in to one of these few rare ultra premium hospitals. But if I break my leg or get some normal infection or have a child or any of the other normal kinds of issues people have? Will that still be the best tier of care?

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  • AstroBen 2 days ago

    > if I break my leg or get some normal infection or have a child or any of the other normal kinds of issues people have? Will that still be the best tier of care?

    Does it need to be? I imagine it's far easier to treat a broken bone, in most cases, vs a rare complex disease

    I'd have different standards when researching where to have teeth cleaning vs oral surgery

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    • vel0city 2 days ago

      > Does it need to be?

      If we're spending the most for it, shouldn't it be? Why would I want to pay more for worse outcomes?

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