What the Dutch do

I was watching the Lehrer Report last night (highly recommended by the way) I find it one of the better sources of news and certainly the best news on TV. Anyway they are doing a special all week on different types of health care in other countries and how they are (or are not) working. You can see the transcript or watch the section here.

Interestingly (and as a fiscal nut I was impressed) two points; One, the Dutch pay HALF what the US pays for healthcare; yet two, theirs is completely universal. Everyone pays the same thing (about 160 a month) which is unfortunately for me about double what I pay now however. The obvious benefits: everyone is covered and everyone pays the same price, and no one is turned away.

"Every citizen is required to buy a basic package that typically costs about $160 a month. The insurance companies are required to offer the same prices to all customers, regardless of age or medical history. Low-income residents have their premiums subsidized. Health care shoppers can choose to pay more for coverage, for things like dentistry, cosmetic surgery, or physiotherapy."

In a twist the Dutch when converting to this plan dissolved all of the government healthcare options and moved them into private insurers to promote a level of competition. This is exactly opposite of what some Democrats wish to have with this so-called 'public option' There are government guarantees on risk to the companies as well as balancing acts should one company be stuck with more 'high cost patients'

The downsides noted are not without mention. First working for a Dutch company I have spoken with many of them an certainly none of them rave about the services they receive; in fact many have said they go almost always to the hospital first- doctors. One American (who I worked with) over there fro 2 years took his wife to Italy to go to the doctor when they couldn't get the drugs needed. And that was mentioned in the piece as well, the plan is very slow to get the latest in drugs and processes; everything needs to be financially viable- not necessarily what a patient wants to here- and certainly something that would have issues here.

I thought it was a though inducing piece however- certainly I was impressed with the financial control, but I'd need some more information on what I'd still be able to get before I sign up. However, it certainly opened my eyes to a universal plan- that has lasted longer and survived better than certainly any public option tried here in the US.