Episode 053: The UK's NHS - Love It or Leave It? Dr. Philip Booth of IEA

National health care policy is always at the forefront of the political discussion in the US but even more so now that the 2020 presidential race is beginning to heat up. Democratic candidates are offering their visions of what the US system should look like and point to other countries in the world as examples of superior structures. One held up as better than the US is the United Kingdom and its National Health Service (NHS). But is it better than what we have here?

My guest today is Philip Booth, a professor in finance, public policy, and ethics at St. Mary's University in Twickenham, UK and a senior academic fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs. He has written extensively on the health care policy in the UK and is able to provide an historical perspective on the UK system and how it differs from the US and the rest of continental Europe. In today's discussion, we examine whether the UK system is really a beacon to be held up by US politicians and what other national systems are in the world that may be better or worse.

Not surprisingly, the conclusion we arrive at is that the NHS is hardly a system that we should strive to emulate in the US - much like the US system with its runaway costs is one other countries should copy either. In a gallows humor moment Dr. Booth describes how the survey touted by many pointing to the NHS' superiority as a system notes only one downside - that the UK is last in mortality.

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show notes

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Catholic Social Teaching and the Market Economy: Dr. Booth's book in the free online version. Here is the synopsis: Throughout history, but particularly in the last century or so, the Catholic Church has developed a formal body of teaching on economic and political matters. Other Christian faiths have absorbed much of that work, as have non-Christians, and thus the body of Catholic Social Teaching has often been influential in the public policy arena. This volume, taking account of recent developments in both political economy and Catholic Social Teaching, examines the extent to which that teaching can be used to justify the free market, or alternative forms of political and economic organisation, in areas such as taxation, welfare, foreign aid, labour markets, finance and the environment. It also critically examines the general case for an interventionist state in the economic sphere, as well as the importance of the development of a culture of responsibility., underpinned by sound education, in a free society.

Institute for Economic Affairs: The IEA is the UK’s original free-market think-tank, founded in 1955. Its mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.

Acton University: Acton University is hosted annually by the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, MI. Its synopsis: Acton University is not your typical conference. It’s a four-day celebration with 1,000 of your newest liberty loving friends from all over the world. Each day is packed with thought-provoking presentations on the intellectual foundations of a free society. Sharpen your intellect. Expand your worldview. Explore theology, philosophy, business, development, and market-based economics at the most unique conference in the liberty movement.

Episode 29: Overcharged - Why American Health Care is So Expensive with David Hyman.

Episode 48: A template for a better health care system where I describe the trends in health care today and how they might lead to something better for all of us.

YouTube for Paradocs: Here you can watch the video of my late son singing his solo on the Paradocs YouTube page.

Patreon - Become a show supporter today and visit my Patreon page for extra bonus material. Every dollar raised goes towards the production and promotion of the show.

Episode 053: The UK’s NHS – Love It or Leave It? Dr. Philip Booth of IEA

Episode 053