spudmunkey
Well-Known Member
While I don't disagree with the overal theme of "make sure you're aware of the big picture and newest data", with Bill, there's always something he says that makes me go, "wait...what was that again?" In this video it was the "Of the 30 countries that have universal health coverage, Canada spends over 13% of its economy on it."
To start, what exactly did the first part of that sentence have to do with the second? "Of the 30 best pizzas in the world, Canada spends $13." it doesn't make any sense.
Looking at the source material (No, not Yahoo! Finance), in his mention of access, Canada had 86% in 2023, 93% in 2016. The average of the top 10 countries was 93%. Where did the US fall, while spending 3x more per capita? 87%. The only reason the US might spend a lower % of overall economy on health care (it doesn't, but if it did) it would be because of the enormous military portion of the economy making other sectors seem proportionately smaller.
Yes, Canada was worst in regards to people getting a doctor appointment by the next day. Worst of the top 10. But most of the countries that beat it have what's called "embargo slots", which are held empty, and make people call in when they open, which does improve chances of being able to get a "same" or "next day" appointment, while pushing out the wait for traditionally scheduled appointments, and has the effect of juicing up the "next day access" numbers.
Of the 38 OECD nations, Canada spends more overall than most, but they also spend more on preventative while they spend the least on that top 10 list on Hospital services, with lower than average out-of-pocket costs.
Again, I'm not discounting the "look at the big picture", but also, "When looking at the big picture, you also can't focus on the parts you like best"...which was his point, but not his execution.
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