The fact that you have to compare the USA to a developing country to be able to say that "it's still much better" speaks volumes.
I do not understand the countries that don´t have this, it is just logical that if you pay when you are healthy you must be 100% covered when you are sick (without excuses or having to justify anything). The most strange thing is that what I pay for my health insurance is less of what I heard it is pay in USA (I pay 70 USD per month) but the difference is big: I live assured that whatever happens I'll be covered, no disease will make me lose my house.
The problem is not about beeing a developing country or not, it is about political decisions that obligate insurances to do what they must do.
No system is without its problems. I'm just glad in the US it's not about quality or quantity of care, just funding.
http://breastcancer.answers.com/medications/the-cost-of-neup...
The cost of the drugs was just picked up by the medical system instead of my pocketbook.
I have seen this argument before; American health care is expensive because everybody else is a slacker who can't pay. It's obviously false. US pharma companies aren't subsidizing Canadian drugs, the Canadian government is. That Canadian drug prices are lower is more a function of the broken US medical system than anything else.
... However ...
I got diagnosed with Cancer (lymphoma) in 2008. I was xrayed, CT scanned, blood tested and ultrasound guidance biopsied so fast that my head spun. From initial lump discovery to the onset of chemo was only a couple of weeks. Quality of care was first rate, and it's been 5 years. My experience with Canadian health care for a life threatening condition was extremely good.
I should also note that the cost of my medication was a significant $100k+ figure, not including chemo drugs, and this was all covered to an out of pocket of under $1k.
I was a working as a contractor, and didn't have any private medical insurance of any kind.
Needless to say, looking at the cost of treatment, and the ruinous effect it would have had on my (and my wife's) finances, I am very glad I live in Canada.
Imagine not getting treated for cancer for 3 years after being diagnosed.