Is it reasonable for Americans to pay much more in healthcare costs than do people in other developed countries?
Background Information
Debate Question:This is what a short summary question would look like.
The United States spends far more on healthcare than does any other country in the world, both in dollars and in percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the World Bank, in 2014 the US spent 17.1% of its GDP on healthcare. This is far more than such countries as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK, all of which were in the 9%-11% range.
in favor
against
America arguably has the best healthcare system in the world, so we are bound to pay more for it.
Zetema Panelist In Favor
+1 Good Point
We may be the best technologically, but we don’t rate high on health outcomes, broad coverage, patient satisfaction, or fairness. US healthcare is a poor value compared with other countries.
Zetema Panelist Against
Good Point+1
American medicine has more and better technology than other countries do. If we want these medical miracles, we need to pay for them.
Zetema Panelist In Favor
+1 Good Point
Studies confirm that the more technology we have, the more we use, whether we need to or not. Also, It’s not fair that we pay higher prices for drugs than everywhere else. We’re footing the bill for innovation while the rest of the world benefits.
Zetema Panelist Against
Good Point+1
The U.S. is larger, more diverse, and more geographically spread out than other countries, so our healthcare is bound to cost more.
Zetema Panelist In Favor
+1 Good Point
The real reason US healthcare costs more is waste. The Institute of Medicine reports that 25%-50% of healthcare spending is wasted on services that don’t benefit patients.
Zetema Panelist Against
Good Point+1
Americans demand more flexibility and faster access than do residents of other countries.
Zetema Panelist In Favor
+1 Good Point
Speed isn’t the issue; pricing is. We pay more for healthcare because we pay higher rates for doctors and hospitals and higher prices for drugs. If we paid the same prices as other countries do, our costs would be similar.
Zetema Panelist Against
Good Point+1
Many Americans don’t want the higher tax rates and greater central government control that are essential to the systems other countries use to control costs.
Zetema Panelist In Favor
+1 Good Point
Every other developed country makes these tradeoffs and enjoys universal coverage at lower cost than the US has.