Originally Posted by DDL

Watch the programme.

Originally Posted by DDL

But the healthcare per se that I received in America was superior to what I've had and seen here. I'm sorry if this bothers some of you but it's the truth. Sure, I had to pay for [a portion of] it, but this is where I'm coming from when I speak about the NHS.

Originally Posted by Giantaxe

According to this article, doctors in Britain make ten times the rate of house calls as do US doctors:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...032301745.html

Originally Posted by DDL

That's because it's easier for people in the US to get to their doctors! Everyone drives, there are more surgeries, etc.

This isn't a competition, Giantaxe. Geesh.

Originally Posted by nethead

I don't think having lots of ultrasounds is necessarily a good thing unless you have a specific problem. Scans in the UK are treated (as they should be) as a way to see if a fetus has any problems, not as a 'meet the baby opportunity' and a money making side line.

I have 5 kids , 3 of whom were born in the UK with midwives and 2 (twins) who were born in the US with a an independent lay midwife. There is no way on earth I would have a baby in the US in a hospital they have totally medicalised pregnancy and birth.

Originally Posted by BristolUK

My experience of the Canadian system is that it's every bit as good as the UK - except the prescriptions aspect. My wife and I are both diabetic. In the UK that would mean free prescriptions and testing supplies. Here it means about $700 a month.

Originally Posted by Beedubya

Well everybody on here can "bicker and bitch" as much as they like I only know that just last week from PERSONAL experience I received excellent service from the NHS.........a 2 day stay in hospital with every test going, and believe me, I do feel very grateful for the National Health Service, sure it may not have ladi de da wards with nurses in designer uniforms and piped music in the lift and little platters of sandwiches and fruit, but the MEDICAL care I got was excellent........and surely that's all that matters......

I too can give you "stories" about waiting lists, etc. But when it comes to the nitty gritty the NHS comes up trumps!

Originally Posted by Ozzidoc

May I just please point out that the prescriptions are not "free" but "free at point of need".

Originally Posted by DDL

Yes, I used the NHS as soon as I entered the UK. I registered with a local GP and (as a breast cancer survivor) had a free mammogram not long afterwards. I take a daily tablet for which I pay £7.something/month via the NHS. Under my US healthcare plan (provided by my employer, minimum contribution on my part) my tablets cost me £30/month and I was given 2 free mammograms a year.

Let me clarify ... I agree that the American healthcare system is for the most part badly in need of reform. But the healthcare per se that I received in America was superior to what I've had and seen here. I'm sorry if this bothers some of you but it's the truth. Sure, I had to pay for [a portion of] it, but this is where I'm coming from when I speak about the NHS. I think it's absolutely wonderful that over here it's free. I have three adult children who work, but one of them does not have health insurance. I know firsthand the pain she has to endure at times because she does not have healthcare. I hate it.

Btw, I did not use welfare (and I don't understand what that has to do with this conversation). My husband (who is British) claimed contributions-based job seekers for a few months until he found work. His monetary determination was based on him, not me - I wasn't eligible as I was not a UK resident. However, the way the system works over here when you are married is that I still had to sign-on every week and look for work (which I was, of course, doing anyway), although I could not receive compensation.

And no, you do not have to be working in the US to get healthcare. There are free clinics, there are organizations that will cover payment of medical fees for indigent people, and - unfortunately - anyone can take their malais to the Emergency Room of any hospital and they cannot be turned away. They'll be billed for it, and that's a whole other conversation that I don't want to get into. Like I said, the American healthcare system is - for the most part - .

Originally Posted by NatalieLucy

I'm still trying to get DH to see the NHS under a new light. He is so strong on his opinion and I don't understand why. He can't really compare the two without having experienced the other side. At least I have been brought up under the NHS and have knowledge of the US system.

At the end of the day I'm looking at it from a new Mother's perspective. Do I want to be broke paying out the earth for premiums that don't even cover 100% medical coverage. And then there's the whole yearly and lifetime maximum benefit amount. I mean come on how can you put a maximum amount on your health. Ridiculous!

Originally Posted by judes

so does anyone know, I am toting my Mum back to the UK,she has been in USA 30 years and she became a citizen, is she entitled to the NHS ? she was born and lived 50 years in UK proir to moving to US

Originally Posted by ANGIE1956

These "free clinics" are few and far apart too. Good luck finding one. And yes some hospitals have to treat emergency's IE car accident, but you get the great big bill in the mail, and then you have a heart attack.