France's Healthcare System

[pinstikfartherin]

I've only heard a few things about France's healthcare system, but I wanted to see what you guys know and think about it.

Based on what I've seen in the US when it comes to my grandfather's fight with cancer and bills, it amazes me to think that somewhere there is a place where his cancer would be treated with the best and newest medicines and treatments and be 100% covered.

My grandfather's friend just lost his wife to cancer that had spread. She wasn't even 50 years old. He spent his savings and sold his home to pay to take her out of the country for treatment she couldn't get here.

My boyfriend's mother had breast cancer and is stuck working at her job simply because she can't afford to lose her insurance.

Problems with healthcare touches everyone and yet some people think it's just fine the way it is. It's just frustrating when you see it touching so many lives around you.

What do you guys think of France's healthcare system? What system would you prefer and why? I'm curious as to what our possibilities are.

[Terranist]

1. There were some people who visited a class of mine back in high school once

One of them was a teacher's former student. They talked about France's healthcare system, education system.

Think about having our quality but not really having to pay for it. That's basically what they've got. Though I think for elective (non-life threatening) procedures if you want to use the public system sometimes you'll have to wait, perhaps weeks.

Still, the World Health Organization I believe ranks them as the best healthcare system.

[Mudoria]

3. So who pays for it?

[jtrockville]

6. France uses the Bismark Model

"usually financed jointly by employers and employees through payroll deduction" according to frontline http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/countries/models.html

They fund health care similarly to how we fund health insurance. But unlike us, they get what they pay for, and no one is left out.

[Mudoria]

16. Sounds like a fair and equitable way to do it.

I wish we could find a way to accomplish that here.

[pinstikfartherin]

8. From what I understand

it's paid for partially by employees and partially by employers. There is a percentage of income and then it is split some way between employee and employer. And I think that the employer pays a bit more than the employee, but I'm not sure.

[Terranist]

13. It is kind of like our social security

except it's much cheaper because it's not run for-profit

[jtrockville]

5. I have an HMO. I have to wait weeks (sometimes months).

No one has unlimited capacity. Triage can't be avoided. The question is: who makes the decisions, doctors or bean counters?

[Terranist]

14. Yeah well you won't be turned away in France which is the most important thing

if your life is in danger you'll be fine; no one dies from not being able to afford.

[jtrockville]

2. Check out "Sick Around the World"

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/countries/models.html

I remember watching this when it originally aired. The thing that struck me most, which was the same in all models shown, is that essential health care is NOT FOR PROFIT.

Removing profit would go a long, long way in fixing our broken system.

[pinstikfartherin]

10. Thanks for the link.

And I agree.. Healthcare is something we all need and should have. It shouldn't be about profits and screwing those who need it most.

I work at a hospice and I feel so sick hearing of these patients that can't go to the doctor, can't afford their medicine, can't afford to get treatment that might give them a better outlook, and can't afford food. We try so hard to help everyone we can, but so often it just isn't enough.

[Andy823]

4. You need to see

Michael Moore's movie 'SiCKO"! It had all kinds of information about countries that do have universal heathcare, and France was one of them. I highly recommend it, it was a real eye opener.

[pinstikfartherin]

11. I totally forgot about that movie.

Thanks for the reminder. I'll check it out.

[LanternWaste]

15. an eye-opening movie as it starkly contrasts the for-profit American model

It truly is an eye-opening movie as it starkly contrasts the for-profit American model against the for-people French, British and Canadian models.

[TahitiNut]

7. France and Italy are rated tops by WHO.

Highest longevity, lowest infant mortality, lowest per capita cost. Without a doubt the best.


Obviously too good for us ... who are told we need a "uniquely American" system. Uh-huh.

[pinstikfartherin]

9. Of course we do.

We need some simple, lazy fix. It's all about profits and not about caring for citizens and one another. It's a mindset that if it works for me, it isn't broken, so don't try to fix it.

The American system we have right now isn't working, so why not take some tips from something that is? But no, that would just be too much change, too much thought, too much work. :puke:

[Cleita]

12. Not only healthcare and education, but they have an excellent day care

system for working parents staffed with professionals in child care. I think if France and the rest of the industrial nations in this world can deliver quality and affordable health care to its citizens, we can too. We spend twice as much per capita in health care than any other nation and we still have uninsured and underinsured who don't get any health care at all unless they can pay for it out of pocket. In our case extending an improved Medicare to all would be possible and right now such a bill is in the House HR676 and it's going nowhere because of Republicans who are not letting it come to the floor for a vote.

[pinstikfartherin]

17. I agree.

It should be not-for-profit. It's pitiful that people call us the greatest nation on earth and yet we can't take care of our citizens. We want to go spread democracy and freedom elsewhere and we can't take care of our citizens. :banghead:

Btw, how is their education system? I've heard nothing of it.

[pinstikfartherin]

18. Some basic information I came across...

From The Boston Globe: France's Model Healthcare System

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/08/11/frances_model_healthcare_system/