the septics attacking the NHS

[centurian]

For me the best part was when one of the pressure groups used Stephen Hawking as an example, saying "People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn't have a chance in the UK, where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless"

Why did they say this when Stephen Hawking was born in the UK and has lived there virtually all his life... because they thought he was an American because he "speaks" with an American accent.



Stephen Hawking's response when in Washington earlier this week "I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived."

[minestrone]

When that little tory git gets some life threatening disease and asks the NHS to cover his bills for his treatment I hope he appreciates what service he gets.

[OwlHoot]

The NHS has done Moorfield Towers proud over the last few years. I've certainly had my (basic rate) money's worth.

3 offspring via caesarians (2 emergency)

Mother in laws chemo (kept her alive long enough to see offspring)

1 offspring head stitched at A&E

Oh, and 1 vasectomy

Flip me, they can stitch heads back on in A&E ?!

I take back everything I said - They're bleedin' miracle workers!

(Even the Yanks probably can't do that.)

[TiroFijo]

Flip me, they can stitch heads back on in A&E ?!

I take back everything I said - They're bleedin' miracle workers!

(Even the Yanks probably can't do that.)

They can but their insurance doesn't cover it!

[threaded]

Health insurance is fine, so long as the company you buy it from is honest. I read earlier today of a woman who had payment for her breast cancer treatment withheld because she failed to disclose dermatitis as a pre-existing condition. By the time she'd argued against the ruling the cancer had become in-operable.

The NHS isn't perfect, but it's better than that.

Thank you for today's definition of evil.

[dinker]

In America you pay for your own health cover, in Britain you pay for the health cover of Labour voters.

[centurian]

In America you pay for your own health cover, in Britain you pay for the health cover of Labour voters.

As long as you're not sick... Once you get sick you basically can't get health cover.

Progressively over the years, insurance companies (HMO's as they call them) have been finding every trick in the book to get rid of "customers" that have become ill. Most policies include clauses that prevent them being dumped as soon as they get ill, but they are ways and means to get round them.

One once you've lost cover, you have to pay for each and every treatment - and that treatment is hideously expensive.

A one night hospital stay can easily cost as much as a full suite at the Ritz. Here are some sample costs taken from the internet


ER visit - about $300 for basic visit - a few scans/tests needed $3K+
Hip replacement surgery - $40K
Heart attack $25K to 'telephone numbers'
Childbirth (admittedly self inflicted) $10K - (pre-mature birth) $50K


Careful what you wish for. Even a high paid contractor can be bankrupted very, very quickly from medical bills in the US.

[sasguru]

Forget the arsehole politicos. Just look at the cold hard facts.
As I have repeatedly said on this forum, the NHS is a millstone hanging on this country's neck which will bankrupt it. We cannnot have the 3rd largest public sector employer in the world (after the Chinese army and Indian railways - organisations that tend to populations of billions!!!) looking after the health needs of a medium sized country.
And now that we know our economy is fooked, WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THE NHS ANY MORE.
The reckoning is coming, if we did it now the repercussions would be less, but because no party will touch the NHS, we will keep spending until we are forced to do the inevitable and DISMANTLE THE NHS.

HTH.

Remember you heard it here first.

[TykeMerc]

In America you pay for your own health cover, in Britain you pay for the health cover of Labour voters.

That's a rediculous statement.

I don't vote Labour but I've had treatment for various ailments over the years and a couple of bits of surgery.
My 3 sons were born in an NHS hospital and my youngest son would be dead if it hadn't been for an NHS nurse at the scene, NHS paramedics and the NHS A&E and intensive care treatment he had when he was hit by a car. For that matter my sons wouldn't have a mother still alive and healthy without the NHS and long term blood pressure treatment.

The NHS is badly managed, insanely expensive, wasteful and a political plaything (Trusts introduced under the Tories were a huge success weren't they?) but I'd rather have it available than not.

[PM-Junkie]

That's a rediculous statement.

I don't vote Labour but I've had treatment for various ailments over the years and a couple of bits of surgery.
My 3 sons were born in an NHS hospital and my youngest son would be dead if it hadn't been for an NHS nurse at the scene, NHS paramedics and the NHS A&E and intensive care treatment he had when he was hit by a car. For that matter my sons wouldn't have a mother still alive and healthy without the NHS and long term blood pressure treatment.

The NHS is badly managed, insanely expensive, wasteful and a political plaything (Trusts introduced under the Tories were a huge success weren't they?) but I'd rather have it available than not.

WHS. With Bells on.

In also never ceases to amaze me that I keep being surprised by how dense some/a lot/most (delete as you see fit) Americans are. Some of the "facts" coming from them are wonderful (eg Stephen Hawkin being American and never having lived in the UK because he would never have survived this long with NHS treatment). Priceless.