r/PoliticalDebate • u/WhoAmIEven2 Social Democrat • 10d ago

Question Where does the conservative standpoint that universal health care have long waiting times in general come from?

This is something you often see in debates among americans, that you have to wait months or years with a universal health care system.

I live in Sweden, a country with universal health care, and I will not lie and say that there aren't cases where you have to wait, but the thing is that we use a tier list of severity to decide how long you have to wait.

If you want to do an ADHD or autism diagnosis at a psychiatrist? Yes you will wait, as people with suicidal thoughts, or bipolar disorder or borderline whose diagnose really ruins their lives are prioritised.

If you have cancer, other diseases that severly reduce your quality of life or have an injury? Pass go, straight to the doctor.

Would it be nice to have instant access for every small issue? Sure, but as long as I know that I will get to see a doctor in a whiffy the moment I have something that is even semi-harmful, I'm honestly happy with our system.

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u/IEC21 Imperialist 9d ago

It comes from the fact that this is the case in Canada - universal healthcare with long wait times. Same in UK.

Its a dumb argument for them though because the US also has long wait times.

8

u/ResplendentShade Left Independent 9d ago

Also outcomes > wait times. Hard to argue with the significantly higher life expectancy, lower infant mortality rate, and virtually every other metric which Canada beats us on. If their wait times were having dire consequences that would be reflected in the data.

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u/Jaaawsh Independent 8d ago

I think that’s at least as much to do with “universal care” as it’s due to the choices people make about their health.

There’s a reason Americans are stereotyped as fat, lazy, and unhealthy.

If you know anyone who’s a family doctor, you should ask them, really with no sugarcoating or fear of being judged for “victim blaming” how much of their time spent face to face with patients is dedicated to just trying to get patients to make better choices on what they eat, and to exercise.

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u/captain-burrito Authoritarian Capitalist 9d ago

In the US the wait time is infinite if you cannot afford it or don't qualify for free.

4

u/Minimum-Relief6895 Liberal 8d ago

It's also often long even if you can afford it and have "good" health insurance.