Would Health Care Workers' Salaries Decrease Under Universal Health Care?

Question

In a situation where:

1. No private health care legally exists (although some illegal ones would be sure to arise),

2. Government controls the cost of health care across the board,

3. Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, X-ray techs, everyone (even hospital receptionists) are employees of the federal government,

Would you expect the salaries to decrease and the hospital staffing to be cut back even more? Would certain employees then be required to handle the jobs of non-essential employees (who would be laid off), which would result in more work/less pay for those NOT laid off?

Think about it and let me know what you come up with. I have terrifiying scenarios drawn out in my mind and I'd like some others' opinions, maybe of those who work in the health care profession and have had some "water cooler" talk amongst fellow employees.

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

Why are you so 'terrified'?  The US spends more than any other country on health care but ranks 37th in quality of health care.  Those with 'universal health care' systems rank in the top.  They are also fully staffed with qualified and educated medical staff, otherwise how would they get high rankings for quality health care.  As for salaries, an example showing average doctor salaries in 2004 in countries with government run health care were $267,000 in Australia, $175,000 in Netherlands, $128,000 in the UK...you get the idea.  I think they earn a fine living, so there's nothing to worry about.  

Answer 3

I would doubt that the salary of workers would decrease because the demand  of workers is so great, and the shortage of workers is so great. The staffing in hospitals is now minimal in accordance with CM S's regulations so there could not be more cutting.

The  Health quality being better in CUBA than the US is ridiculous, they did not even have a surgeon to do simple surgery on their 82 yr old leader and had to have a surgeon from France fly in.