chicagojlo

For those without insurance, a part-time job at Starbucks gets you health benefits from day 1. Regardless of the number of hours you work.
Myself, I've been an expat since I was 21. The last country I lived in also required health insurance so I've pretty much grown up knowing I needed it too.
As for going back to the UK, I wouldn't go back anyway because I can't stand the place, but even if my hubby could convince me, it wouldn't be practical - we'd have no chance at affording a house, our daughter would be left with no choice of schools but the one nobody wants to go to, and we'd have to get in line just to register with the doctor, and then wait a week for an appointment every time you need something. Meanwhile there are more than enough countries where I know we could get off a plane and not have any of these issues. Even when we did live an hour away from family we only saw them once a year, so what's the difference if it's one hour or eight?

Tracym

As another true American - I personally (re. healthcare) would feel more free under the American system than the NHS.

Neither system is perfect. Both have flaws.

But based upon both experiences posted on here, and talking to people in person who've used both systems - I personally would still take my chances with the American one over the NHS. There are risks either way, but I prefer the risks of the US one.

Probably differs for different people's situations I'm sure.

If you put buying BUPA into it, I'm not sure. But I don't like the bit where the GP has to agree to refer you to a specialist.

Of course, whether the US or the actual NHS is better is really irrelevant. What matters is, what would the US version of the NHS be compared to the current system. I truly think it would be worse than either current system.

ukelaine

From what I have seen since living here, it is just a big a deal to Americans as well.

I don't know how you can say it's not that distressing to know you HAVE to whip out an insurance card ?

Someone without an insurance card I am sure would Disagree

You don't say if you are married or single ? If single, then the stress factor on Health Care may not be so great, as you only have yourself to look out for and not young kids.

Say you got laid off tomorrow, you have no savings, you have Health Insurance until the end of the month and then have to find money to cover Cobra if you want continued Health Insurance and you have a mortgage and 2 kids, I think you MIGHT feel distressed then

Many Brits probably have no idea the USA Health Care is as it is, just as many Americans don't know about the UK's Health Care either. Many people i tell here are totally shocked ! when I tell them, they had no idea.

And even with Insurance over here you can STILL have problems, I've encountered that several times since being here.

And it is great that in the UK we have, I suppose what some Americans may call the Luxury of taking a job we like and not have to stay away from it because it has no health benefits.

A young boy here with his whole life in front of him, completely healthy was injured playing football (American football) he was in a coma, woke up and now needs a lot of medical attention and therapy. His parents had great Health insurance, so they thought. The Insurance Company have tried several times to get the boy OUT of the hospital, the parents have appealed several times, which helped delayed what will happen and even Hospital workers Protested outside the Hospital and the boy's friends.
He now has a few more days and he is out, being sent to a lesser equipped place and who suffers, the boy and his family. All this from playing a game of football.

Elaine

ukelaine

Not sure what is meant by a "True" American ?

Unless you mean your word means more as you were born here, even though some ex-Brits may have been here longer than you've been alive

The postings about the difference are relevant as the OP was asking for advice about pro's and con's.

I can't see anyway for a USA version of the NHS to go but UP

Walking into an ER with seating for a 120 and it's jammed packed with people sitting on the floor and many of them there with a cold or cough, over 1/2 there with no emergency that couldn't have been dealt with by a regular doc, but, having no health insurance their only option is to go there.

Worrying yourself into another health issue because of bills coming in from all angles after going to a doc, having a couple of x-rays and having a minor operation.

I agree neither system is perfect, but, going by my experiences in Both Countries I would embrace the NHS in the USA

Plus, the heart attack's ratio in the USA would drop dramatically

Elaine

Mallory

You have to look at this sad situation in the proper light though. If he is injured for life, he will be eligible for some type of government program, i.e. Medicaid, social security disability.

Acute care hospitals treat patients until they no longer need acute care. When he no longer needs acute care he will go to a rehab center.

If he lived in the UK, he would still be sent to a rehab center, they won't carry on treating rehab patients in acute care. I know someone who lives in Bristol, who needed long term rehab, and they were sent to Cardiff. The after treatment would not be much different in either the UK or USA.

Bob

But for how long? That's what has been running them into the ground for a while now...but it is nice that they do offer it

nethead

It's only 25-30 miles from Bristol to Cardiff, so not like the other end of the country.

Bob

Which is generally no different than what happens over here...

elfman

Odd - I obviously haven't conducted a comprehensive survey of all the healthcare posts on here (and I'm sure you haven't either), but I was very much under the impression that the majority of people on here who have experienced both systems prefer the NHS.

Mallory

Have you ever driven from Bristol to Cardiff, going over the Severn bridge in the summer time, with the breakdowns, traffic, etc? It can be a nightmare. Anyway, I was not knocking it - I was just saying that the long-term care would be comparable in either country. They don't throw paralysed people out on the streets.

My other point was, most people don't want to leave acute care, because they get waited on hand and foot, and their dr is there, which is only normal. Many people are scared of going to long-term care/rehab - in either country.

Tracym

I didn't say other people preferred one or the other. I stated MY preference.

But those that post it publicly, you're likely right, more have preferred the NHS.

But not everyone I've talked to, in various forms of private conversation also.

Sally Redux

A lot of people will moan about the NHS without realizing what a great deal they are getting. The problems for the NHS come from trying to keep up with the incredibly high expectations people have of it, therefore I think the funding of it will have to be adjusted, but the principle is just so much better and more efficient than the US model.

Mallory

I prefer the fact that the NHS treats everyone - obviously that is the way it should be.

Personally, I would rather have my care in the USA. I like to pick my specialist/doctors, and go back to them if I like them. I like seeing an OB-GYN doctor, instead of a nurse. I like to have a dermatology apt next week, not in 9 months - being seen by someone that I have never heard of. I would prefer to have elective surgery in 2 weeks time, not in 1 to 2 years time.

But i've always had good insurance - so that is why I choose the US system.

If I lived in the UK, I would get private insurance.

nethead

I lived in Bristol for 10 years so yes I do have the experience of the drive to Cardiff.

If you haven't experienced both directly how can you say which you would prefer?

chicagojlo

That depends on what kind of insurance you have.

I think most people's appreciation of the NHS over the US system is purely based on a financial aspect. People don't take into account that with the NHS you can wait 4 days to see a doctor when you have a heart attack (happened to my MIL). And please don't tell me that there aren't ERs in the UK full of people who could have seen their GP. Sure they don't end up in the ER because of money, instead it's because they can't get an appointment to see their GP.