AmerLisa

Very true, Kate.

Rob B

Interesting Thread.

My mum is an NHS Manager, and one of her colleagues did a stint in the US, think in New York, a while back and had quite a disturbing story to tell about a young girl who had a scan which revealed a brain tuma. She came from a poor family who lived in a poor neighborhood, and as a result didn't have health insurance and couldn't afford the treatment. She ended up dieing because she didn't have the money or any prospect of money so didn't get treated. I know that is a pretty extreme case, but that would never happen with the NHS, that young girl would of got treated and probably lived. That for me, is where the US health system is wrong because it's only really a worthwhile service for those who can afford it, and their isn't really anywhere to go for the others. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The NHS is flawed, the waiting lists, waiting times etc. but the fact is that it there for everyone and provides treatment for everyone when they really need it without the financial stress. It's too easy to critisise the NHS, as a Brit I am proud of it. If you have the money, private health care is always there for you if you want it, but the NHS is in my opinion underated by many Brits and taken for granted. It's a superb resource.

Kate2112

I'm sure many people here could bring up positive and negative tales of how the NHS is wonderful/awful and the US system the same. A decent Universal healthcare system in the US would be a marvellous thing. If it were well planned, well implemented and kept up to date with taxes being raised to cope with the incredible initial influx of people wanting to get their dollars worth.
Its going to take time to do this in the US and maybe it will never be done but it is up to the USC's whether they choose this path or not.

Yorkieabroad

You're still in the UK right Rob? Interesting post, because in these discussions it often comes down to a "you dont appreciate what you;ve got till you've lost it" sort of point. Its pretty uncommon to see people appreciating it before they lose it! Totally agree.

gardnma

US system - Better your job/income: better the heath coverage.
UK system - Speed of service aside, universal.

I'd pay more taxes for a NHS type system here in the US. Certainly sleep at night if unemployed.

Rob B

Well I hope to do a stint in the States in a few years, if it happened, probably on a tight budget, I would fear slipping on a wet floor, breaking my leg and ending up completely buggered financially.

How much is health insurance?

gardnma

Well, if you were to break a leg, you'd probably come out of it with just the one arm and an expensive cast for your only remaining leg.

All I know is private health ins. for a family is about $1100 to $1300 per month.
Singles, anyone else?

AmerLisa

Better stay there Rob, if you're worried about it.

Bob

my impression will probably change as our insurance has now dropped down 3 times to $60 a month for coverage that is 5x better...$15 co to see doc, 100% on illness and refunds for preventative things and refunds on alternative medicine, and also 80% on elective stuff.

on previous insurance, even though we had a $20 co pay, wait to see the doctor was 2-3 weeks and if it was urgent we were told to go to the hospital....so that's a lot worse than the UK....

dental care is more expensive, but I've got good cover for that too, so not bad...My eye ball cover is a bit weak, and it's hard to compare costs, but I'd say without insurance it's a lot more expensive over here, and it's something that usually isn't covered by insurance.

so what system do I prefer, overall, the UK system because it has been good to me, yes it has faults, but you have a fall back of getting private, over here, you don't have a safety net unless your practically homeless and your paying a fortune in insurance and taxes for service that could be great, or shite, last dental appointment, bloke was late by 40 mins...back in blighty my dentist was never more than 10 mins, not a great comparrison, but goes to show that shiny marble floors and gold taps doesnt' always equate to good service under the surface.

AmerLisa

I truly don't think you can say one is better than the other. Like others I've had good and bad service from both. I can see both sides of the coin, etc. So, a poll deciding on one or the other doesn't quite cover the whole issue.

Bob

spending a year in maine, without insurance, scary stuff watching out for snow and ice, which you can't avoid

and as for cost, it depends on if your single or have a family...if you have a PPO or HMO, if you have dental coverage and what kind of co-pays and deductables you have a year are, so can range from employer paying it all to average of $150-250 a month for a family plan, though obviously it can be a lot more...and your paying social and medicare/caid, which you can't claim for...

Pulaski

See my other post recently: For me (British taxes + compulsory payroll deductions) were significantly greater than (US taxes + compulsory payroll deductions + medical insurance).

Bob

ain't typical though is it....usually works out roughly the same, but here, you have to pay on point of delivery on top of all that insurance and tax...

Rete

Can't do your poll as I haven't experienced government sponsored healthcare. However, I am happy with my private healthcare. I can see any doctor I wish for a $15 fee and there is no deductible for tests and/or hospital treatments. Now when the time comes when I don't have that insurance, yikes I will have to consider moving to Canada.

In all truthfulness I would love to see the US have a US Health Plan for all legal residents of the US.

NC Penguin

Your poll is like comparing apples to oranges. IMHO it would be better to ask people's opinion of private healthcare in the UK versus private healthcare in the US.

As your poll stands, the more money you can afford to spend on healthcare in the US, the faster and arguably better the treatment.


NC Penguin