Randahl FinkDec 13, 2024
The US may have put a man on the moon, but Denmark put an entire population on free healthcare.
Show threadJohn Gordon
@randahl Do they include meds?
Dec 13, 2024 at 1:42amWeb
Show threadRandahl FinkDec 13, 2024

@jgordon yes. But to create an incentive not to consume unnecessary meds, we normally pay a part of the meds ourselves.

The chronically ill are exempt from this partial payment, and get their meds for free. People in hospital care are exempt too. Poor people can apply to become exempt.

Show threadJohn GordonDec 13, 2024

@randahl

That's more generous than most systems!

Show threadgoedelchenDec 13, 2024
@jgordon @randahl There are systems that don't include meds?
Show threadOver ThereDec 13, 2024
@randahl @goedelchen @jgordon yes. Here in Ireland you pay for meds unless you have a means tested medical card. Though there is a scheme that caps the monthly amount you have to pay . It doesn’t cover everyone, or all meds. Lots of cracks in the system
Show threadRidscherliDec 21, 2024
@jgordon @randahl It's not generous: if enough people pay into the same pot, there is enough for hospitals, doctors, care professionals and meds.
This is how social insurance in Germany works (not sure if the danish system runs on taxes or insurance).
Of course you can always discuss the amount of input and output, but a healthcare system should people keep or make them again healthy.
Show threadRandahl FinkDec 21, 2024
@ridscherli the Danish system is tax based to a wide extent.
@jgordon
Show threadRidscherliDec 22, 2024
@randahl @jgordon Tax systems also have their advantages. But the main point is the same: input by everyone > output for everyone. It's not generous, as we as citizens paid our "yearly plan" already in advance.
Show threadGalder Gonzalez Dec 13, 2024
@randahl @jgordon in Spain this part of the payment depends on rent, so poor people, those with more children or retired people pay less. As the State is the main buyer of those meds, the cost is fixed by the state, not the medical industry.
Show threadRasmus LindegaardDec 13, 2024

@randahl @jgordon thats not entirely true.

My wife has epilepsy, and while the system does pay part of it, they do not pay for it all.

But every hospital stint and examination is free for the citizen, yes.

Show threadRandahl FinkDec 13, 2024

@rasmus91
Thank you for mentioning that. It is certainly more complex than I can describe in a few posts, but I do think that broadly, the Danish system can be characterized as "free healthcare".

Dental care is another exception. So is optometry.

@jgordon

Show threadRasmus LindegaardDec 13, 2024

@randahl @jgordon dental care being an exception that does not make a lot of sense.

And for some reason, every time we have a "borgerforslag", it's struck down in Folketing.

Show threadRandahl FinkDec 13, 2024
@rasmus91 I think dental will be improved at some point. But it is an area where the incentive to take care of yourself is important to the overall economy of the solution.
@jgordon
Show thread…might work for coffee…Dec 21, 2024

@randahl
I think opto and dental stuff was kicked out in German system to keep rates in check.

Something that needs mentioning is the hard cutoff rules for a lot of stuff. These discussions are needed in other systems to not always do everything possible but the stuff with maximum outcome in patient benefit. (replacement hip as one of those examples)

And having friends who worked in Kiel hospitals, there is some health tourism to Germany from Danes to speed stuff up.

@rasmus91 @jgordon

Show thread…might work for coffee…Dec 21, 2024

@randahl
So yes, the Danish system seems good overall.

But healthcare is complex and some stuff as usual does not play out. Good if you can get it fixed.

Germany I still think health and nursing is a dumpsterfire (and it runs rather good because of worker exploitation)

@rasmus91 @jgordon

Show threadandrei!Dec 13, 2024

@randahl @jgordon But what about profit? What about the economy? Imagine how much money can be made from people who are facing pain, suffering and death! From parents watching their children suffer. People who need an urgent ambulance ride. Mothers ready to give birth…

Actually don’t imagine - observe the costs of healthcare in the U.S. - defined by the Market!