Some thoughts about U.S. health care

On July 23rd the MacDonald family boarded a plane to the UK for a two-week vacation.?I turn 50 this year, and my wife suggested a trip to one of my favorite places to celebrate.?I don’t know what it is about the UK that resonates so strongly with me, but it does.?The history, architecture, traditional music, hedgerow fields, pubs, ales, and even the fish & chips all just make me happy.?I’ve been twice prior and this was the first time with kids.?(Note: distilleries and breweries bore children.)?Overall, the trip was phenomenal and we created some great family memories!

We did a lot of driving, and we listened to a lot of BBC radio – our rental car didn’t have Sirius XM.?A regular news story concerned the physician strikes occurring in England – I haven’t seen any press on this in the U.S.?It sounds like English physicians are not happy with their current wages and working conditions.?Additionally, the announcer made the point that many veteran physicians are leaving England for other countries where they can increase their earnings.

It got me thinking about some of the advantages of the U.S. health care system:

1. Wait Times and Access to Care: One of the common criticisms of the UK's National Health Service (NHS) is the often lengthy wait times for non-emergency treatments and surgeries. I had a friend in college that waited 12 months to see a physician for an uncomfortable case of eczema on his scalp.
2. Choice of Providers and Specialists: In the US, we often have more flexibility and choice when it comes to selecting healthcare providers, specialists, and treatment options.
3. Technological Advancements and Innovation: The US healthcare system tends to be at the forefront of medical research, technological advancements, and innovative treatments.
4. Prescription Drug Availability: In the US, some medications that are readily available might not be approved or accessible in the UK.
5. Resource Allocation and Funding Challenges: The UK's NHS faces ongoing funding challenges, which can lead to shortages in staffing, equipment, and resources. This is a major driver of the strikes that are occurring now. These challenges may impact the quality and availability of care.

Two days after we returned home, we realized that we'd forgotten to schedule a physical for my son so that he could try out for his high school tennis team. Within another 48 hours, he saw his pediatrician and is good to go!

Health care delivery isn't perfect here in the U.S., but there are certainly reasons to be appreciative of our health care system.