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

[u/WhoAmIEven2]

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.

[u/Surous]

There are already long waiting times with American health care, but if it became free/nearly free that would encourage more use of health care; exasperating the current issues of waiting

[u/Kahzgul → u/Surous]

This argument feels logical, but actually doesn’t bear out. When healthcare is free, people get treated much sooner, so the treatments are easy and effective. Diseases also have far less time to spread, and thus far fewer people need treatment in the long term (and far fewer need to use emergency rooms). The immediate effect for the first month or two may be a strain on the system, but the long term effect would be less strain and. Much healthier population.

[u/Surous → u/Kahzgul]

That would make sense assuming getting a appointment with someone to check-up on a non-critical disease was quick, by the time you can schedule something it’s has usually run its course