Comments by "Tony Wilson" (@tonywilson4713) on "Caller: Will Wait Times Explode Under Medicare-for-All?" video.

  1. As an Australian who lives where we have a dual system which is similar to systems in Canada, Britain and New Zealand, here's a little clarification on this. One system is publicly owned and operated by our governments and ANYONE can walk in the door and see a doctor. Those doctors can send ANY of their patients onto a specialist. How soon those people get to see a specialist depends on the availability of a specialist. Wait times in our public system has NOTHING to do with that its a "M4A" system it has to do with how many specialists we have and how much of the specialist analytical machines (& Services - like MRIs) that are available. The other system we have is the Private system (privately owned and operated) and it is simply a matter if you (or employer) have the money (cash, insurance or credit) then you can be seen by a specialist of your choice as soon as they can see you. Our professional sports teams for instance often have specialists on retainers to keep them available. More often than not wait times in the private system are far shorter, because you as the patient can go straight to the specialist if they are available. In the public system it has to go through a system of assessment and then waiting in line for a specialist to be available. So no matter what getting to see a specialist is about availability more than anything else. Is Australia's dual system perfect? NO it has shortcomings and gaps and not everybody gets the health care they deserve. When I have talked with Brits, Canadians and New Zealanders who have similar systems we all agree on one thing under no circumstances would any of us want what America has.
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