- NEW!
by Moley the contrary female dragon on October 9th, 2009
Two hips fitted by a top surgeon, intant access to eye ward 24/7 because of past problems. Free meds in Wales. I dont have a problem. Some do, but nothing is perfect. Free but not perfect.
by Hayzen on October 10th, 2009
There are some problems with the Canadian health care but I know I'll never be denied for any necessary treatment. And I'll never need to mortgage my home or take out a loan to get medical treatment.
Also, the Canadian government is spending no more than 10.5% of its money on healthcare which covers every Canadian while the American government is spending 16% of its money on healthcare and it doesn't cover everyone.
by partyparty on October 10th, 2009
My husband has had bypass surgery, and also many health problems. His surgery will have cost a lot of money.
We can choose where we want our surgery and prescription charges are £7.20 per item.
We could have improvements in the system, as could every other country, but overall the National Health Service here in the UK works really well.
by Elfie on October 10th, 2009
The only issue with the Canadian system is a lack of doctors, cause they're all fleeing to American for better wages... and therefore, wait times. The wait times are the biggest issue here. Months for specialist appointments and scans. Though that can vary depending on the province.
Thing is though, if we had to pay for health care, my family would be broke. My mother has had three knee surgeries and been in the hospital a few times for asthma. I've had CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, seen pain specialists, etc... All without having to shell out anything but my time. I was in the hospital for a week in an oxygen tent when I was 6. Cost my family nothing.
I have no health insurance. Only thing I pay for is my prescription drugs.
by Schonberg on October 10th, 2009
I saw my doctor just over week ago about scar tissue on my hand(dupuytrens contracture Operation) Next week I am seeing the surgeon and most probably he will say come back next Wednesday to have the scar tissue removed. It costs me nothing because we have a good national health service which everybody who works contributes to out of their wages. It gives you peace of mind because you know that you will be taken care of, even if you need a heart surgery.I recommend that eveybody goes for the new universal health care.
by downtide on October 10th, 2009
Mostly very happy with it. There are problems, but not as many as the press would have us believe.
It frightens me that a country that is supposedly civillised, will deny healthcare to the poor simply because they can't afford it.
by Trissinger on November 22nd, 2009
Guess I'm ~finally~ getting around to this question of yours, Cotton! :)
I'm happy enough with our Canadian health care system. Its got its 'glitches' as others here have mentioned, but the alternative would severely 'suck' big time, if I were:
1/ poor
2/ couldn't afford health care
&
3/ American & living in The States.
Hope you Americans will soon come to your senses and start to care for "the least of these" in your own country, too.
And if Obama & co. soon get their way, there'll be many healthier, happier Americans before too long! :) :)
by Sissco on October 10th, 2009
The NHS IS okay-ish! I've gota hearing problem and wear a Hearing aid - the NHS woks fine for me - but then again, i read about MRSA and other bugs infecting the Hospital wards and how New Labour's Billions of pounds of spending on the NHS hasn't worked.
I think America has a better system now - If you can't afford it - WORK FOR IT! Socalism dosen't work
by Jacques on October 10th, 2009
The UK NHS is sufficient for most needs and best of all it is free. The usual scandals result from some patients having to wait months for "non urgent" operations or organ transplants. There are other options, such as visiting another EU member state for free treatment, which some people do. But that's no so practical.
What is the number of nurse practitioners that a physician can supervise?
by Answerbag Staff on August 13th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Does Texas have its own peer review organization?
by Answerbag Staff on August 1st, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Who regulates medical software such as EMR& EHR?
by Answerbag Staff on July 26th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Santorum supports TORT reform at a $250k limit. His wife sued a chiropractor for $500k. Just another "F You" to everyone else ?
by Rufus on January 9th, 2012
| 2 people like this
Do you think social media can assists in healthcare facility planning? If so, can someone please explain why or why not?
by cloud1012005 on November 30th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading My English friends, there has been lots of debate about universal health care in the USA, how do you like your health system in the UK? Oh, my Canadain friends, please jump into this conversation also!
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Comments
seems like you are for the most part please Moley! +6
by Cotton 201 on October 9th, 2009
Thanks, Motely. It is going to be a long debate, here. I think we will wind up with something between what you have and what we have now. We are a very large country and we have a long tradition of choosing our own docs and hospitals. We are not going to give that up completely. But we do need change. We need to make the system more available and affordable to all. That is what the argument is about. We do not want socialized medicine here. But no-one should be without medical care when they need it, regardless of their means.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on October 9th, 2009
well said Tom!
by Cotton 201 on October 9th, 2009
But what about low income people? Or people who are elderly? Or people who have serious medical conditions? I have heard that those are the people who would have problems with getting decent healthcare. Also, what is this "death panel" thing I keep hearing about? And can we choose our own doctors, or are they appointed to us? Sorry for all the questions....
by Jesus_Saves on October 10th, 2009
Tom: Yeah! Well said :-)
.
Jesus: It makes no difference what your income or age is. It's "free" to all, i.e. it's paid for by taxes. You don't have to fear dying from cancer because you've lost your job. There are no death panels. That's just one of many lies spread by your giant corporations whose executives don't want to give up their mansions and new beemers every year.
by HungryGuy on October 10th, 2009
Ok, sorry-I'm confused about how it's paid for. You said it is paid for by taxes. I used to be on a "government funded insurance" for low income people who had health conditions that made it hard to get insurance. I was on it for 15+ years, and they canceled me in August. I got insurance through my work, but I am nowhere NEAR meeting my deductible, and so I am paying for my very expensive medicines out of pocket. I am "skipping" my medicines a lot, in order to save money.
How can the health insurance be "free?" I mean, is it taken out of our paychecks? Who is paying for it? I'm not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to insurance, since I've been on one that was FREE (no deductible, or copay or anything to pay) for so long.....I don't really know how "real" insurances work. lol
by Jesus_Saves on October 10th, 2009
You do pay from your paycheck, JS, as we all do. But the insurance many hardworking people pay for has so many loops and sink-holes it is almost a crime. The deductibles are atrocious. Just one or two days spent in a hospital could wipe out many people's savings. This is something that must be fixed. And no-one should be "penalized" because they work for a smaller company than someone else. Most insurance companies base their programs on the size of an individual company, not on a really group basis. And they are filthy rich. They even loan money to the government. They have to look for ways to use the money they have. They can give comprehensive insurance to all, but they don't. They need to be jerked up by the shirt collar and made to give what people pay them for...and people pay them a lot...for too little. The government does not have to have "socialized medicine". It just needs to kick some butts.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on October 10th, 2009
Thanks Tom, for explaining it to me. I was totally against it, but it's sounding better and better all the time,since you explained about what all the insurance companies would lose if we went to Universal Healthcare. :)
by Jesus_Saves on October 10th, 2009
Well, it's not really free. Nothing is free. I'm not sure exactlty what taxes go where, but it's paid for through income taxes and VAT (income tax in GB is 40%. And there's talk of a 50% bracket for the rich. I think there's also a 20% bracket for low/moderate income people). Health care is expensive--there's no denying that. But it's still better than dying from cancer if you lose your job, IMO.
by HungryGuy on October 10th, 2009
This is certainly true!
by Jesus_Saves on October 10th, 2009
No, it is not 'free' and never will be, but people are now paying way too much for too little. When you consider the cost of medical insurance for just one individual...and then consider what people with families must pay, coverage for spouses and children..Argh! Many people are so "insurance poor" they cannot give their kids a real hope for college, or even tech school training. They have nothing left to save for them, not to mention the "little things" now that make a kid's life enjoyable. And people are not able to save a great deal. The majority of working Americans with families live from month to month. The loss of a months income...for any reaon, can put people out of their homes.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on October 10th, 2009
When you cannot work or if you never did work, You still get treated in U.K. When my hips were being replaced,there was a 79 year old in the ward having hers replaced for the second time.When I went to the Dr she referred me to a doctor she reccomended and there is some leeway for choice that way.My daughter was referred for a breast lump and the Her Dr referred to a hospital that she knew had specialist fast track clinics and she was seen within 2 weeks. The specific tax for health is called Nat insurance, This also covers sickness benefit if unable to work. The current amount paid is 11% if you earn over 174 US Dollars per week.Meds are free in Wales but in England it costs Around $9 per item for a 2month script or free for over 65's children and students.
by Moley the contrary female dragon on October 10th, 2009
The UK's method is fine and the cost does not seem exorbitant, but it would not work as well, here, I don't think. The system would be enormous and the very administrative costs alone could make even government insurance very high as far as taxes taken from wages. I don't know how it will work out. I suspect it could be a choice of private or government insurance in some form. Americans will always want a choice. But all must be covered. I think we all agree on that. The largest developed nation in the world with the best medical facilities anywhere that cannot give a full one fourth of its citizens adequate health care is a disgrace.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on October 10th, 2009
Any one who wants here can have private insurance and some firms offer it as a perk. we do have choice that way. it is not mandatory to use the NHS
by Moley the contrary female dragon on October 10th, 2009
Thanks for that. Most of us do not really understand the system in the UK or in Canada. Every time a reference is made to it somebody screams "socialized medicine"! like it was the worst possible thing...(lol!) I am not so sure. I think we have the worst possible thing here right now. And it is already so regulated by the HMO's, the AMA, and the HEW that it is virtually government run, anyway. Our problem is basically the insurance companies. And they are certainly NOT free interprise! They are about as free interprise as the oil companies are (lol) The word is MONOPOLIES.
by Tom 47 is back in his bear COAT on October 10th, 2009