Pulaski

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.

coastieexpat

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.

Steve_

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.

Pulaski

Agreed, that is not in dispute. And?

Steve_

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

Sally Redux

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.

Sally Redux

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

steveq

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.

GeoffM

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).

Rickyk

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.

steveq

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

Sally Redux

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.

Giantaxe

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

Steve_

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.

Sally Redux

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.