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The level of knowledge of some US citizens about the way "socialised medicine" works (eg the UKās NHS) seems limited.
Socialised medicine may be a key battleground in the upcoming presidential election, so Iām hoping a short thread may help make it clearer.
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Socialised medicine may be a key battleground in the upcoming presidential election, so Iām hoping a short thread may help make it clearer.
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First, the NHS provides ācradle-to-graveā medical care for everyone. There is some effort to charge people who travel to the UK for free treatment, but thatās it.
It costs around Ā£3000 per person, and is collected through taxation. So only tax-payers pay.
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It costs around Ā£3000 per person, and is collected through taxation. So only tax-payers pay.
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The NHS will treat you whatever your health problem. A disease you were born with, an illness you developed because of poor choices (alcoholism, smoking-related disease, a broken leg playing football etc etc), and any other disease. Itās all the same.
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Co-pays and deductibles? I donāt really know what they are. There are no charges for accessing healthcare through an Emergency Department or Primary care physician.
You canāt access specialists directly; you go through ED or PCP. As it costs nothing, thatās OK
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You canāt access specialists directly; you go through ED or PCP. As it costs nothing, thatās OK
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Prescriptions cost as standard Ā£9 (about $12) for up to 3 months whether the drug costs Ā£5 or Ā£5000.
Itās free in Scotland and Wales, if you are retired, a student, not in work, pregnant or a new mum, and there is a scheme to limit costs if you are on several medications.
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Itās free in Scotland and Wales, if you are retired, a student, not in work, pregnant or a new mum, and there is a scheme to limit costs if you are on several medications.
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You can chose to see someone privately if you like. Advantages may include convenient appointment times and shorter waits, and a single room with a view and nice food.
You still pay your taxes. Most of us think thatās ok.
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You still pay your taxes. Most of us think thatās ok.
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The NHS has some limits. Some treatments are not available, including cosmetic surgery and treatments which have limited evidence. I think there are limits to fertility treatment but Iām not an expert there.
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There is no limit to the spend on one person. Broken a leg for the third time falling off roofs as a burglar? Same treatment. A fourth ICU stay for your chronic disease? Decisions are clinical not financial. Huge obstetric costs on your first pregnancy? No problem.
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We donāt judge people. (Of course individual docs & nurses do, but the treatment is the same). Broke your leg being chased by a policeman or broke it as a policeman chasing a baddie - same treatment. Smoker, lung disease? Still get treatment.
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2 more things:
We are all imperfect, so it goes wrong a fair bit. Individuals fail and so does the system. We donāt have equality for mental health yet. You can be left behind, especially if you donāt know your way around the system.
(Iād say thatās no different to US)
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We are all imperfect, so it goes wrong a fair bit. Individuals fail and so does the system. We donāt have equality for mental health yet. You can be left behind, especially if you donāt know your way around the system.
(Iād say thatās no different to US)
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We know some donāt use it and others take advantage. And thatās ok. Some need it more.
Healthcare bankruptcy should not exist in a civilised society, and it doesnāt in the UK, thanks to the NHS.
A society should be judged by how it cares for the weak, not the strong.
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Healthcare bankruptcy should not exist in a civilised society, and it doesnāt in the UK, thanks to the NHS.
A society should be judged by how it cares for the weak, not the strong.
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