The Swiss Health Care System Vs. The U.S. Health Care System
Saturday February 25, 2006
This article compares our health care system with that of Switzerland. All Swiss citizens are required by law to purchase their own health insurance. Their government negotiates set, fixed prices every year for health care services and medications. They can see any doctor they choose and are happy with the quality of care they receive. And in the end, they pay less for their health care than Americans do.
Comments
The article states that the cost of medical care in Switzerland is lower than that of the US because of government imposed price controls.
An inescapable economic law states that if you control prices the supply will be restricted. (remember the gas price controls back in the ’70’s and the long lines at gas stations?). Nowhere does the article address this issue. Did the swiss repeal this economic law? If not there’s something that the author is leaving out, either because of ignorance or an agenda he’s trying to promote.
I’m not saying that their system isn’t indeed better - I don’t know I haven’t used it. However, price control will have some negative effects and I’d like to see them presented before coming to a conclusion.
I am a foreigner living in Switzerland.
I have two small children. We have been to the emergency room many times in the last two years. One of my children had a major operation. In this time, I have seen nothing but good in the Swiss health system (with one important caveat.) The hospitals are clean, well maintained, well staffed and equipped. The doctors and nurses seem well trained, competent and happy to be working. We get our health needs dealt with in a timely manner, and with much less hassle and bureaucracy than in the US.
The one caveat, and it is a big one, is that there are far too few gynacologists! My wife has had to schedule appointments months ahead of time, and it seems impossible to see a doctor about “women’s issues” unless you’re dying. This is the one area where supply and demand seems out of whack.
Individual health insurance costs are comparable to what a company + employee co-pay would be in the US.
This sounds really awesome! Too bad they have to pay a 60% income tax! Sucks to be them.
Most people living in Switzerland go elsewhere (bordering countries) for their healthcare, their mandatory insurance covers only the barebones and is very pricey. Need to see a psych or someone in the mental health field? Not covered! As someone with a chronic pain condition, I go to the doctor twice a week for trigger point injections (without which I would be in suicide levels of pain), in Switzerland, the MRI that took three days to get after my automobile accident (takes 12 months there!), my injections (2x a week here), are limited to THREE TIMES A LIFETIME there!!