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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Definitely not perfect, but better than some alternatives. UK does not even offer propofol for colonoscopy, instead using midazolam. That might be fine for some, but I guarantee many would not have their exam without being fully asleep. It would be nice if there was a central database of labs and test results for providers. There is way too much duplication of services.[/quote]

I think people don't realize how rationed and sparse and also years/decades behind care can be in other countries. My mom in Europe is on a 1st gen inferior med for her medical condition and here we are on a fourth gen med which is much more effective. Every drug takes a very long time to be approved compared to the US. My parents have ONE choice of doctor in their surrounding area they get assigned to, and if they don't like that doctor they cannot switch. They also have to a wait a long time even for GP appointments and specialists much more. So yes, it is very cheap, but also not the best quality care or cutting edge care. As far as colonoscopies, they are not offered at all for screenings. The US is the only country that (to my knowledge) covers that as first line of screening through insurance for over 45. Other countries are through FIT only unless anything is found/specific symptoms.

And to be clear I don't think our system is perfect, especially tying care to insurance through work. There is something very cruel about people needing to work through cancer treatments or lose their insurance. [/quote]

You're making a lot of generalizations.  I too have lived in Europe, and have not found this to be the case.  Doctors spend more time with their patients there than I find to be the case in the USA, and while there may be long wait times to get a specialist in Europe, it generally takes me 4-6 months to get a specialist to see me here, for my kids, it has been even longer.  And don't get me started about the costs in America vs. Europe.   Prescribed medications are cheap, there's no worry that you will die because you can't afford your insulin or your epipen.

I will actually do a combined vacation/medical tourism trip next year, because I find care easier/cheaper to access from Europe.  I know others do the same for Asia and parts of Latin America.[/quote]

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