“Free” Healthcare is not the answer

I grew up in a “free” healthcare system and there is much that is right about the NHS but the fundamental point that is forgotten is that it was not free. A Post “Aloha Free Healthcare” addresses one of the challenges when you make something that used to cost money (actual out of pocket cost) and make it free…..it failed and for some simple human nature reasons.

The free coverage was supposed to be for the low income families but those that could afford were dropping their coverage so they could get “free” coverage as well. It reminds me a lot of the challenge to building a business and the desire to sign up customers. There is often a push by the sales team to give away the product to the first few users to get some initial experience, case studies and actual users to talk about. The problem is when you give it away the value perceived by the recipient is often precisely that – zero….

Universal coverage and accessible healthcare for everyone is a good thing – the NHS comes reasonable close to his but is not the only way to achieve this goal. We will find a solution but do not be misled by “free” in any phrase linked to healthcare