sorry, we must have misunderstood each other: when you mentionned the profits of research, I only thought of the development of new medicines by pharmaceutical companies, not of the services provided by doctors, hospitals, etc and it is obvious to me that such private companies can thrive and develop many new products in a country where the health service (not the pharmaceutical industry) is public and free.
As for the pros and cons of public research vs. private research, I think they're pretty much the same no matter the area of research: private means profit-driven means more money readily available and more incentive to find results quickly and so it is more effective in some areas. On the other hand, public research means that long-term projects with much potential but no immediate profit, and research on less profitable (but important for public health) products get attention as well. Both are necessary, I think.
As for the fact the Americans don't welcome new taxes, that's obviously quite true: the whole conception of the State and its role and relation to individuals is at stake here, so I wouldn't await significant changes with bated breath. I really hope that the USA are going to make sure all its citizens get decent health insurance, but I'm not particularly optimistic.
As for the pros and cons of public research vs. private research, I think they're pretty much the same no matter the area of research: private means profit-driven means more money readily available and more incentive to find results quickly and so it is more effective in some areas. On the other hand, public research means that long-term projects with much potential but no immediate profit, and research on less profitable (but important for public health) products get attention as well.
Both are necessary, I think.
As for the fact the Americans don't welcome new taxes, that's obviously quite true: the whole conception of the State and its role and relation to individuals is at stake here, so I wouldn't await significant changes with bated breath. I really hope that the USA are going to make sure all its citizens get decent health insurance, but I'm not particularly optimistic.
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