| The concept of universal care is not a panacea, but it | | | | progressively reduced. Many of the physicians |
| may be better for more individuals than what we offer | | | | employed in their system today are immigrants willing |
| today. Whether it is delivered by the government or by | | | | to accept lower salaries. |
| the private sector, however, it will be subject to political | | | | Third, care has been rationed. The British temperament |
| manipulation as well as exploitation by commercial | | | | and culture is much more tolerant of rationing than we |
| enterprises. | | | | are in the US. |
| One example of political influence that is already | | | | With the unrelenting rise in the cost of care in the US, |
| happening in government-sponsored care is that the | | | | rationing will be required here, too. However, our |
| Health Care Regions around the country have | | | | method of rationing will have to accommodate |
| different Medicare reimbursement criteria for some of | | | | Americans' strong sense of fairness. Further, the US |
| the same services. Much of this is the result of | | | | need for individualism will result in a medical system |
| variations in lobbying success among regions. | | | | with its own special characteristics. |
| The British health system often is held up as a model | | | | Compassionate and personalized care can help |
| of universal care. Its apparent success in controlling | | | | moderate costs and accommodate the American |
| costs since its introduction in 1948 is attributable to | | | | requirements for fairness and individual treatment. |
| three major factors. First, capital expenditures were | | | | Perhaps this should be termed, "universal personal |
| postponed. For 40 years, no new hospitals were built. | | | | care. |
| Second, physician reimbursement rates were | | | | |