Sally Redux

I guess the difference, which doesn't seem to be understood by a lot of people on MBTTUK, is that under the British system you pay into a pot which funds people needing treatment at that time, and likewise can draw on the pot when needed.

Ash UK/US

When I had my oldest daughter I was sent home from the hospital after 2 days and told to see my GP in 2 weeks. Luckily for me I had babysat a lot as a teen, had cousins that had all had babies before me. I also had my mum (an RN) at the end of the phone whenever I needed her. We also took birthing class (mostly for my husband) that cost over a $100.

My sister in the UK was sent home from the hospital, had a midwife visit her, a health visitor and had a drop in baby clinic she could to if she had an issue. She also took baby class at no cost to her.

I really feel sorry for women in the US that have no clue about babies, that can't afford classes etc.

Ash UK/US

I have lost count how many times I have had to argue out the charges with insurance companies.

One time I actually refused a test being done until I had called the insurance company to see if it would be covered, I called from the doctors office waiting room, I was told it would be covered, had the blood test done then got a bill and was told when I called them back that it would not be covered

Bob

When the missus was pregnant and we were at the hospital getting a tour, which cost us a chunk of change, anyway, I asked about home visits like you mentioned, he looked at me and laughed and said "sure, if you give me a $1000 per visit"...I thought he was a bit of a cnut and glad he wasn't our actual doctor

Oh and less than 48 hours hospital stay for a traditional birth, that's not much time, we were punted out the door in 36 hours. The missus hasn't seen a doctor since, good job she didn't have post natal depression or anything.

AmerLisa

Actually they're "punted" out a lot earlier in the UK these days as well.... 2 days after an uncomplicated C-Section.

Giantaxe

That's one of the two totally frustrating things about this debate. Too many Americans are totally oblivious to the fact that their healthcare is rationed despite the fact that the US spends so much more of its GDP on healthcare.

And the other frustrating thing is all the people who scream about the horrors of socialized medicine in one breath and then scream hands off my Medicare and Social Security in the next. Talk about hypocrites.

AmerLisa

I agree that the UK system is much better in this case. A young woman with no family and no idea what to do with a baby (probably a bit rare, but does happen) needs to have a back-up. I enjoyed having the midwife come the first few days after I had my fourth child. But after the first few days it was a bit of hassle as I wasn't a new mother and didn't really have any issues. But when my older daughter had a baby it was a very good thing to have as I wasn't there and even though she had friends, they weren't very knowledgeable about newborn babies.

Giantaxe

And that 16% of GDP used on healthcare doesn't even include the "cost" of people's time doing precisely this. Talk about an insanely wasteful mess of a healthcare system.

meauxna

This is the part that gets interesting to me because we're talking about two totally different mindsets, going back hundreds of years. I'm just now appreciating that you can't change that culture as quickly as common sense would dictate that we act (remember how long this fight for health coverage for all has been percolating.. decades).

Everything about America, from the first days of non native settlement, has been about self-reliance and mistrust of the Government (the King). When a message is drilled into your consciousness and reinforced over generations, it's difficult to change.
I seriously underestimated this, maybe because I've lived elsewhere and was already open to the idea myself.

One thing that I feel bad about is the folks who are *terrified* of these changes. Their reasons are 'stupid' but there are folks who sincerely believe this euthanasia business for example.. I really wish there was a way to reach them, but they're dialed into Sarah Palin.

There's the rub, right there. There's too much 'I got mine, Jack' going around. To be fair, Rete, you've got great insurance, have been in your job for many, many years, in a business that isn't influenced by huge numbers (ie manufacturing) that can come and go away. Things have changed... most people are not getting a deal like what you and Jim have accumulated between you, it's often not possible.
I hate making these discussions personal, we're not poor people. But I don't see how we can afford a couple thousand dollars per month for insurance that frequently does not/will not pay if you ever need it. It makes more sense for us to sock that money away right now, but we're getting older every day.

There needs to be a middle ground for people like us who are self employed, self sufficient, willing to take care of ourselves but who don't want to go bankrupt over a broken leg.

There are not a lot of jobs like yours that a person can stay in for so many years now, and fewer employers who can afford to offer paid insurance.
Over 90% of the businesses in Oregon are 'small' with fewer than 50 employees. Policy being driven out of the East Coast with its very different view of employment is bad policy too.
(Can't believe Wyden's bill is from an Oregonian!)

Giantaxe

This kind of thing wouldn't fly in the US anyway... can you imagine the screams about "government intrusion" and "nanny state" ?

meauxna

Yes, yes, yes!

AmerLisa

Is it hypocritical to be wary of a system you've never had? Interesting....

Ash UK/US

It is scary to think of young teen mums that are basically left to it.

AmerLisa

I've only ever heard that expression "nanny state" being used in the UK.....

Giantaxe

Are you being deliberately dense? Single-payer Medicare is an example of exactly what many of these Medicare-recipients are decrying as "socialized medicine".