Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Post ACA, I'm going to assume you mean "pay", not "work", but either way, when other basic needs including, but not confined to: food, shelter, clean water, heating, and clothing are largely rationed based on ability to pay, I am not sure why access to healthcare should be totally divorced from ability to pay.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Well in the UK you can buy BUPA or other private insurance, so you do have a choice of paying for better care if you have the cash.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Other than that though, it's fantastic! Everyone fills in their paperwork on time for example.

The problem with the NHS is that it is unsustainable, even Gordon Brown had to say that, can't keep paying for the whole thing out of general revenue.

They had to raise the fixed prescription cost recently as I recall, for example, and people were complaining about that, I had to laugh. If only they knew.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Agreed, that is not in dispute. And?

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

You have the option of paying for private care, which does not necessarily mean better care.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Americans are surprised when you tell them this.

It's usually the same doctors and not 'better care' but might be quicker and in more luxurious surroundings.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Despite your attempt to damn with faint praise, it's a good system.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Latest news is a likely two billion quid budget shortfall, and noone is prepared to take hard decisions. 10quid to see your GP was a good one.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

I had an eye op under AXA PPP back in the UK. All the consulting was done in a private hospital but the op itself was done on NHS property "as the facilities are much better". Go figure!

(For those wondering, yes the insurance company pays the NHS for use of its facilities - bargain basement price, of course, and theoretically they're not denying treatment to NHS patients - more like subsidising them slightly).

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

As a customer many years ago I never liked the system, but I guess it is somewhat effective in managing the overall cost. The public appetite for health care is insatiable and at some point you ration or run out of money.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

It IS unsustainable though. Not going to be so good when it does go pear shaped is it ?

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

Private companies cannot compete with the NHS on the level of staff or facilities, it's mainly just convenience. But I think, on balance, good to have options.

I have heard the prices are reasonable compared to the USA even if don't use private insurance.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

UK spends 9.4% of GDP on healthcare; the US spends 17.9%. What do you think is a sustainable level?

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

But it's unsustainable, so by definition, it's not a good system because it cannot continue. That's the definition of a bad system pretty much.

The only way it will continue is with unworkable tax increases or people paying directly. And because people have gotten used to paying next to nothing out of their own pocket (although in reality it means they pay higher taxes), people will protest.

A user fee to see your GP sounds like a good idea to me, they keep suggesting that one in Alberta. Discourages the hypochondriacs.

Re: The NHS 'is the world's best healthcare system'....
 

See this is what I find difficult about Britain at the moment. No matter how good something is, "Ooh it's going to be a disaster in 10 years' time." My brother says it about everything.