I am struck by the speed at which the UK is vaccinating its population. Immediate negative view “oh, they have plenty of vaccine” which is true due to astute contracts being placed early in the pandemic. The cheapest, Oxford, produced on a non profit basis is part of a suite of vaccine used in The Kingdom. Its delayed delivery in Europe and UK whilst the stuff is “grown” is something I personally am a bit miffed about but do understand. In any event the thought is more to do with national healthcare.
As I understand things, for example, usa system is highly divided with state, company and hospital’s all operating independently and whilst World beating treatment is available the overall system is neither equitable nor cost effective. So, here in Europe we should, as ever, pick out the good bits and bin the bad ones. Taking out health care insurance here in Holland I noticed that insurance companies offer a good 10% discount if you have other policies in the same group. What is that all about? 10% of, my guess, half the national budget! Whilst UK is in business terms to the right, politically its two party system forces movement to the centre, something which seems very alien to European voters (I should be able to vote soon, perhaps in the general election but I have no idea who to vote for). So, multi party politics and coalition government probably mitigate against change, something which is even more true at EC level.
Robin, I believe the “collectivity discounts” on base insurance premiums will be eliminated 1-1-2023. On additional insurance, anything goes. Basic health insurance is 100% not for profit with premium income more or less covering outlay, so giving discount doesn’t matter much in the overall scheme of things. It’s more like increasing first to discount later. Premiums are only a small portion of health care budget anyway.
Having multiple small parties is in practice not that different from having multiple factions/caucusses/groups within large parties. Net effect is mostly just right of center, and once every 12 years or so, slightly left.
Thank you for that very helpful and insightful comment. As I have mentioned I do have an interest in public health given my Foster fathers role as chairman of the King’s Fund. He was always a proponent of national systems with an additional “top up” from those who are minded to pay for private provision, normally the better off in the society.
In terms of multi party politics I do wonder how this impacts on decisions, particularly those that need really big movement in policy (defence, international sanctions, health). Having spent a few years lobbying I am aware of the common practice of trading off areas of policy to obtain broad support for such big movements, something that can, on occasion, lead to rather questionable decisions, particularly for small incremental changes.
I can’t really back this up, but again I think the process is quite similar in either system. Just as the Conservative government has to take e.g. ERG faction’s position into account and negotiate with them, our coalition government has to respect all partner party’s positions. Both situations act as a damper on policy swings (and that’s probably a good thing).
I think an understanding (for me) of the executive powers of the cabinet both in UK an nl would be an interesting exercise. Sanctions, do they make the call? What about nl and the same issue? Purchasing decisions, travel bans, healthcare spends. I guess a lot of “tort” involved in eg healthcare bill etc.
Given the thought that EC seems to be getting a bit too big for its boots perhaps sooner rather than later an EC army will be back on the table.
Hi Robin, the vote match site https://tweedekamer2021.stemwijzer.nl/#/ is dutch only I’m afraid. Google does translate it, but has button “once” instead of “agree”
Thank you Jan, I wonder how the method to vote is? Do you take residence card or do you get something in the mail to take along? I am minded to use my vote and will certainly research the possibility of actually influencing policy.