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Buying in bulk not the best sort of health care

To the editor:

I would like to reply to Preston Meyer’s letter (12-4-18) expounding on the benefits of single payer health care as proposed by Bernie Sanders and other well meaning Democrats. Mr Meyer cites the attributes of the single payer system being used in the vast majority of the industrialized world. Mr Meyer throws out a number of dollar figures of proposed savings achieved by “buying in bulk.” I don’t know about you, but I’m still waiting for the $2,500 health insurance premium reduction President Obama promised when he was touting the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

My wife and I have hosted four foreign exchange students from Germany, Denmark, and Austria. One could argue that these are about as industrialized as foreign counties get. One of our students from Austria has both parents employed as doctors. While visiting with her parents we were able to get the real scoop on health care in Austria. One parent is employed by government run healthcare which is relatively cheap, readily available (as long as you show up on the day a doctor is available in your area, and are willing to wait in line without an appointment), and at least moderately effective, if you don’t need a specialist. The other parent is self employed in the private health care field. Private health care is relatively expensive, fast, extremely effective, and in high demand. Serious cases are referred either to the best hospitals, or encouraged to seek care in the United States. (By the way, they are all aware of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.)

I ask you this: Why on earth would we as American citizens seek to imitate the rest of the world when we have THE best health care system in the world right now? Is our system without flaws? Are we the cheapest? No. But we are the BEST the world has to offer! I don’t know about you, but when it comes to my health, I prefer the best treatment available. I’m not interested in buying in bulk. I’m having back surgery on December 12. I’m not heading to Austria or any other single payer health care country. I’m staying right here in Minnesota, thank you.

Paul Platz

Lafayette

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