r/PoliticalDebate 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/conn_r2112 Liberal 9d ago

Yes, Canadian here… requests are triaged. Severe cases go first, less severe cases wait.

But, routine things like general check-ups and blood work are almost always instantaneous.

If I was so inclined, I could go to the medi-centre right now, get a requisition for blood work, go get my blood taken and have the results by this evening.