Tracym

I loved the cartoons. Didn't see any NHS ones actually, not sure where those were. Doesn't matter tho - Matt is great.

scrubbedexpat099

Particular peeve of my Mum.

Tracym

I should know this, but I'm trying to remember - have to pay to park maybe?

snowbunny

A car park is the UK equivalent of either a parking lot or a parking garage (multi-storey).

As a Texan it irks me to pay for parking as a free parking space is my God-given right. In Amsterdam, to park on the street costs about 30 euros (maybe $45) per day!

Tracym

Thanks - I know what a car park is. I was just trying to remember how it related to the hospital - I think they may have to pay to park at the hospitals.

Parking in downtown Chicago ain't great ($$$) but not THAT bad.

snowbunny

A surface car park is rare in most UK cities and if there is one, it's guarded! and you gotta pay. Even if you stay in very expen$ive hotels you will pay to park your car, but part of the cost includes the guarding, because car vandalism and theft can be a big problem, bigger than most non-inner-city Americans are used to.

(But the murder rate is lower.)

scrubbedexpat099

CCTV more likely, unusual for a car park to be staffed.

One thing I noticed when I first came here, airport car park was very cheap, $2 an hour and they had real people to take you money.

Scaling up and converting, the NHS makes the US equivalent of $12 billion a year from car parking, assuming the US had a similar system.

Bob

It's a money earner, simple way for hospitals to make extra money...long term patients usually get a permit though, but it ain't half expensive for guests depending on where you park...

Well the Nuffield in Oxford would be a few quid, but the car park at the end of the street would be 20p.

snowbunny

Possibly but I've seen them staffed as well.... even for Marks and Sparks!

Tracym

Ahhh I did remember right

So the care's free - but the parking makes up for it

Actually I was shocked a while ago- I take my older lady friend to her doctors, etc - we went to a teaching hospital (terrific care btw, night and day to some other hospitals) - but they charged me for parking! ER parking is free, but the rest of it, you pay. Now that I haven't seen at a hospital before.

snowbunny

That's the norm here in Austin. And you're expected to have someone move your vehicle out of ER parking ASAP or you'll be towed.

Tracym

Interesting. I suppose maybe inside the city of Chicago it'd be the same. At least I didn't have to move my car.

danfan

For those living in PA, CHIP has expanded to include all kids in uninsured families. It is totally free if income in below a certain amount and then is scaled depending on income. Still very reasonable and covers medical, dental & vision.

http://chipcoverspakids.reachlocal.net/

Adults can also apply but there is a waiting list. You can buy the coverage for about $350 a month.

Elvira

What happens to said children when they become adults?

Let me see... our family of 2 parents + 3 adult (but still dependent) sons would be paying 5 x 350 =

danfan

LOL they get a job and struggle for insurance like the rest of us.

Put it this way though - our little company cannot afford employee health insurance so we have this for the kids. Knowing that if they get sick, I'm not going to be posting fundraising blogs and doing sponsored swims across the atlantic to pay for their healthcare is enough peace of mind for me until they are 19!