Comments on: What the United States health care system can learn from Mexico http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/10/united-states-health-care-system-learn-mexico.html Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Tarl Neustaedterhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/10/united-states-health-care-system-learn-mexico.html#comment-113208 Tarl Neustaedter Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:10:01 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=40372#comment-113208 I presume what Ms. Buddenhagen is referring to is the <i>Seguro Social</i>, the medical system which covers all employed people and their families in Mexico.I grew up under that system, and it was reasonable basic care back in the 70s. For anything beyond basic medical care, the middle class and above tended to find private doctors and pay out-of-pocket.I have heard that budgetary problems and corruption have taken their toll on the system in the decades since. Some of my relatives will no longer use the system for even basic care, given decrepit infrastructure and somewhat less than sanitary conditions in many of the clinics.What the <i>Seguro Social</i> used to be was something similar to how the Veteran's Administration is run. As a model of providing basic care to everyone, that might be a reasonable model. Unfortunately, that basic level of care is sufficiently below what most people in the U.S. get today, that it would be political suicide for a politician to suggest replacing existing healthcare with such a system. I presume what Ms. Buddenhagen is referring to is the Seguro Social, the medical system which covers all employed people and their families in Mexico.

I grew up under that system, and it was reasonable basic care back in the 70s. For anything beyond basic medical care, the middle class and above tended to find private doctors and pay out-of-pocket.

I have heard that budgetary problems and corruption have taken their toll on the system in the decades since. Some of my relatives will no longer use the system for even basic care, given decrepit infrastructure and somewhat less than sanitary conditions in many of the clinics.

What the Seguro Social used to be was something similar to how the Veteran’s Administration is run. As a model of providing basic care to everyone, that might be a reasonable model. Unfortunately, that basic level of care is sufficiently below what most people in the U.S. get today, that it would be political suicide for a politician to suggest replacing existing healthcare with such a system.

]]> By: Xavier Tello, MDhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/10/united-states-health-care-system-learn-mexico.html#comment-113201 Xavier Tello, MD Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:57:15 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=40372#comment-113201 I'm a Mexican physician (although not practicing anymore). Esther is right.The first problem with American Healthcare is high costs. High costs due to excessive and -sometimes- redundant lab and image tests that are only justifiable to protect Physicians against malpractice.That's insane.Most of the good 1st contact medicine is about (has to be about) criteria, training and good sense; combined with old-fashion human contact and care.1st contact medicine should solve mot of the problems and -overall- prevent them.Public Mexican Medicine is like that.And also, there are specialists there who ask for fancy lab tests and MRIs...when needed. I’m a Mexican physician (although not practicing anymore).
Esther is right.

The first problem with American Healthcare is high costs. High costs due to excessive and -sometimes- redundant lab and image tests that are only justifiable to protect Physicians against malpractice.

That’s insane.

Most of the good 1st contact medicine is about (has to be about) criteria, training and good sense; combined with old-fashion human contact and care.

1st contact medicine should solve mot of the problems and -overall- prevent them.

Public Mexican Medicine is like that.

And also, there are specialists there who ask for fancy lab tests and MRIs…when needed.

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