LondonSquirrel

Life expectancy is 2 years longer in the UK than the US too. And in the UK you can go private if you don't want to wait. I went private once, I had a mole I was worried about and I was going on holiday so I didn't want it to spoil my holiday. I saw a consultant privately the next day for £200. Turns out the NHS was able to offer me an appointment very quickly, they actually phoned and offered me an appointment the day I was going to leave on holiday, so I couldn't make it.

I've also seen an osteopath privately as has DH. I think waits for that would be long in the UK. I'd rather pay £40 and see one at my chosen day and time than be in pain waiting.

OnwardandUpward

The more I read the more I don't think it is. People get Harrison-Mu'd albeit on a smaller scale than this greedy man all the time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/us...cal-bills.html

seawaternow

Rules changed - it's now 10% of AGI to be able to deduct on tax return (unless you're over 65 in which case you can claim 7.5% until Dec. 31 2016 - after that same rule).