Mexico's Healthcare System Wins Red Tape Award

red_tape.jpgAnd you think your health insurance company is bad? Just be happy you don't live in Mexico. There it takes two physicians, four bureaucrats, and quadruplicate forms to get life-saving medications in that country, and as Cecilia Velazquez, winner of this year's red tape "prize" in Mexico has brought to our attention, Mexico's healthcare system is a bureaucratic nightmare that is just unacceptable--to the point of winning said contest in her home country for the long waiting times, multiple hoops, and redundancies built into the system.

What is interesting is that Mexico both knows that its government is so bureaucratic that it can have a "red tape" contest, have 20,000 entrants, and always find a compelling and interesting winner who has struggled against the inadequacies of the government for years. What is MORE interesting than that is that the government is willing to publicly acknowledge and admit what that failing is and then try to change it. Could you imagine either of these things happening in the United States? I, for one, cannot.

Let's hope that this acknowledgement is the beginning of health reform for Mexico. No person--parent or patient--should have to go through this much red tape to secure access to life-saving medications.

Summer Johnson, PhD

comments

Well they can illegally enter California and get free care. I can't since I live here and pay taxes, but lucky for them. I can't even get a basic checkup without coughing up roughly $200, which I can't since I have to eat and all those other luxuries. Sorry if my sympathy isn't exactly overwhelming considering the US isn't much better and needs drastic health care reform, but we take care of Mexico's citizens better than our own.

Why is it any surprise or shock that Mexico has a horrible health care system. Every possible aspect of Mexico's government is either corrupt or inept. This is not new. And we all pay for it, probably always will.

contribute a comment

Your contributions to the conversation are very much appreciated. We do have a few simple guidelines, though. Be civil. Stay on topic. We reserve the right to remove comments that violate the aforementioned guidelines. One more thing: comments are moderated, so it may take a little while for your comment to be posted. Thanks.

what is this?

A 'Nature Top 50' science blog by the editors, staff and friends of The American Journal of Bioethics. Science writes: "To follow the latest twists in ... science stories with social impact, dive into this Web log"

The original story behind this blog

What people are saying about blog.bioethics.net

recently on blog.bioethics.net

The November Issue of AJOB Is Now Online!

With H1N1 and flu vaccines on everyone's minds, the November issue of The American Journal of Bioethics couldn't be more timely. What do people think... (more)

Q & A on What is a Blockbuster Anti-Wrinkle Cream Worth, Morally Speaking
Or How Many Fetuses Does It Take To Make a Great Cosmeceutical

Question: What is it worth to produce a blockbuster anti-wrinkle cream? Hypothetical Answer from Cosmeceutical Company: A single skin biopsy of a 14-week old voluntarily... (more)

Bioethics Needs More Than Number Crunchers, says Caplan

Even as one trained in said number or data or fact crunching--whether you want to call us social scientists or empirical bioethicists or what have... (more)

Should Hwang Do Time in the Big House?

For the disgrace and shame he placed upon stem cell research in South Korea and for many stem cell research more generally, he should do... (more)

Is Nanotechnology the Key to Happiness?

Nanotechnology has been called a great many things--the great leveler, the panacea to all that ails the world, the technology that will allow us to... (more)

this blog's feed

  • Subscribe
    • XML
    • Google Reader or Homepage
    • Add to My Yahoo!
    • Subscribe with Bloglines
    • Subscribe in NewsGator Online
    • Add to My AOL
    • Convert RSS to PDF
    • Add to Technorati Favorites!
    • Add to your phone
    • Get RSS Buttons

info

archives

tags