Why not replace private physicians in America with emergency rooms?

[Rath]

Viper1 said:

Rath said:

Viper1 said:

I suggest a fully free market healthcare and insurance system which would provide great care for all at costs all could afford.

Free market healthcare would not be affordable to everyone, there are plenty of people who struggle to make do without medical expenses. And then you get people with ongoing problems whose medical insurance runs out.

I have not seen a single country with a fully free market health system that has been affordable for everyone. On the other hand there are plenty of countries with highly socialised health systems that run quite succesfully.

You've never seen a free market health system because one doesn't exist.  Well, we almost had one from the 50's to the 60's.   Was pretty darn accessible to everyone back then.

And you're also failing to take into consideration the cost reductions and broadened insurance options.  Actually, your worries are aimed at the current system by the sounds of it rather than a free amrket healthcare and insurance system.

I'm not complementing your current system - it's clearly broken. However a completely free market system will not provide low income people with healthcare even if the healthcare (and associated insurance) is significantly cheaper. Then as I pointed out there will be people with long term injuries or illnesses for whom insurance will be very expensive or plain out unobtainable.

A socialised healthcare system deals with these problems essentially by getting the healthy and wealthy to chip in for the sickly and poor.