Public vs private healthcare

All citizens of our country have the right to access public healthcare, which, despite its shortcomings, is considered one of the most efficient in the world. Even so, the collapse of primary care has meant that the number of users of private health services is increasing year after year. Iu Alemany, Director of Back Office and Customer Service at 11Onze, proposes some concepts, so we can continue a recurring debate.

 

According to a study carried out in 2022 by the IDIS Foundation, the private healthcare sector accounts for 29.4% of total healthcare spending in Spain. This figure has risen to 33,398 million euros, representing 2.7% of GDP, which added to public-private collaboration totals 3.36% of GDP.

The increased purchasing power of the population and long waiting lists have highlighted the advantages of private healthcare. Even so, the collapse of public healthcare and the large number of people taking out low-priced private health insurance just to access diagnostic tests, or for specialities such as dermatology, gynaecology or pneumatology, is also putting pressure on the private sector. As Alemany explains, “with private healthcare you have direct access to the specialist, but appointments are not so immediate, and there are more and more waiting lists”.

Private healthcare as a complement to public healthcare

Although budget cuts and lack of investment have highlighted the limitations of public healthcare, the pandemic has accentuated its importance. As Alemany points out, “what would have happened if it had been managed solely and exclusively by private healthcare? It scares me to think about it”.

The quality of healthcare and the greater investment in medical equipment in the public sector means that it has better resources and specialists to treat the most serious illnesses. This means that, in the event of complications, even private insurance companies refer their patients to the public sector.

On the other hand, the business model of private healthcare is based on profit and economic profitability, leaving aside the principles of solidarity in public healthcare. However, in the current context, it is clear that collaboration between the two models is necessary to guarantee the viability of the healthcare system, at least until public healthcare has the funding it deserves.

 

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

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  1. Joan Santacruz CarlúsJoan Santacruz Carlús says:
  2. Jordi MorenoJordi Moreno says:
  3. Laura León AmatLaura León Amat says:
    Laura

    La pública si o si… Paguem impostos per tenir aquest servei bàsic, com l’educació
    Fem-ho bé tots plegats, cal reordenar i ser transparent. Ens cal més eficàcia i bona planificació. S’han de gestionar molt millor els recursos públics (humans i materials)

  4. alicia Coiduras Charlesalicia Coiduras Charles says:
    Alicia

    Tenim en aquest país nostre un gran problema en quant la distribució del pressupostos a la sanitat i es que es hospitalcentrista
    La primària que es la portada d’entrada per definició,es la germana pobra,i gairebé la major part del pressupost es per als hospitals
    Segon punt: la mala planificacio respecte a educacio i universitats pel que fa als números clausus d’entrada a Medicina ,que dona lloc a manca de professionals en determinades especialitats que tb s’afegeix a una remuneracio no adequada
    Tercer punt:no deixen que la primària sigui eficient i eficaç,no donen autonomia amb la gestió dels centres de salut ,a l’equip directiu
    Que es realment qui sap les necessitats de la població que aten
    4rt punt:Cada població te unes caracteristoques diferents i el funcionament com comunitat tb ho es ,i els que manen fan allò tan conegut de “cafe per a tots”
    Els hospitals haurien de ser per allò especific i concret,les persones on millor estan atesos es a ca seva,a la comunitat.
    Però això requereix més professionals a primària, per tan com ja ha he dit caldria redistribuir el pressupost
    Pel que fa a la llegenda urbana dels amiguismes avui en dia no es el que havia estat
    La sanitat privada ha augmentat tb la seva eficiencia,tot i que la millor tecnologia està a la pública,com tb la recerca un dels pilars que la privada no te massa desenvolupat
    I si, estic d’acord que cal complementar allà on calgui els gos tious de sanitat, n’oblidem que a la concertada ja hi han col.laboracions d’aquest tipus

  5. Mercè ComasMercè Comas says:
    Mercè

    Pública, tot i les mancances.
    Es un ens massa gran difícil de gestionar. S’ ha de reinventar.
    No busca beneficis però hi ha corrupció. Es allò: qui controla el controlador?
    En les llistes d’espera hi ha amiguisme, potser és inevitable. La família és la família i els amics són els amics. I no em crec que, a més a més d’aquests col.lectius, no n’hi hagi d’altres amb privilegis, però vaja, ho considerarem un mal menor, assumible.

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