The Moore vs Gupta health care debate

Just in case everyone was hoping to skim over the health care debate and "Sicko" Michael Moore was in rare form earlier this week on CNN debating the criticisms of the movie with Wolf Blitzer and Dr Gupta. I haven't seen the movie, but having used both the US model as well as the French model, there's no doubt in my mind which is better and it's not even close. The French health care system - ranked #1 by the WHO, as Moore notes - is much easier and even with taxes is much cheaper.

Many people in France use a hybrid system that involves both national health insurance as well as a supplemental health insurance program. The government system sets costs (for reimbursement) and percentages that they pay based on those costs and the private insurance pays much if not all of the difference between the two leaving very little out of pocket costs for patients. For example, my normal GP is above the government standard for a doctor visit so I pay the difference for visits but that extra amount is completely covered by my insurance plan. Though not perfect, I find the processing by the insurance companies in France to be amazingly quick and efficient unlike my own experiences in the US.

I often hear anti-health care types in the US talk about delays but that's always been a non-issue for me as well because in my own personal experience it's no more or no less than what I experienced in the US. What I do notice is that people here do not live with the same level of fear that sickness will bankrupt them. The costs are contained and covered so nobody is afraid of using the system.

Whether you agree with Michael Moore, Dr Gupta, both or neither, it's about time the US put aside the silly "it's socialism" talk and had a serious discussion and debate about health care. Outside of Big Health, Big Pharma and their helpers, most everyone else would like change and a modern system that works for the bulk of Americans and not just the lucky few who don't have any concerns about runaway costs. Changing the system does not have to cost more, it just requires seriousness and consensus instead of a wish list for the health care industry, which we have today.