Posted on 07/15/2008 2:33:32 PM PDT by djsherin
The Netherlands was for centuries one of Europe’s wealthiest economies. During the 17th century, the country arguably had freest economy of that era, and it is one of the birthplaces of the modern free-market system. That legacy was not abandoned until the 1960s, but there are now encouraging signs that the Netherlands has begun returning to its roots, though admittedly the still-socialistic country has a long way to go. Such is the case with its universal healthcare system, where the latest reforms are occurring.
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...
/mark
Very interesting article.
The Swiss system, though also far from a true free market system, also has some market-oriented elements that could work here. Health insurance there is purchased by individuals, not provided by employers, and has a lot more choice and a lot less red tape for the consumer.
A friend was here, and her husband just passed away. She is blaming the hospital for not doing enough to save him. He was an alcoholic for many many years, and his liver failed. She felt like they didn’t try to help him. He was just pretty much cast aside to die, after a point when they knew they couldn’t save his life. I wanted to tell her that nationalized health care won’t have any treatment for people like him. None at all. Nothing.
If the guy needed a transplant, the system here would not have helped him either as he would have been ranked way down on the priority list of those needing livers.
I know. There was no life left in him anymore. He was on the list for transplant, but way down the list. And he was over 6 ft tall and down to about 90 lbs from drinking only wine for 8+ Years.
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