You have the Senate, the House and the Presidency. Go for real Universal Health Care. [View All]

[TheBigotBasher]

The Democratic manifesto on health, was in some ways a compromise to not whip fear on universal health care. The Insurance company has had America so much by the balls for years, its ability to run scare stories. An example of that was the other day, where Bloomsberg ran an OpEd about how the Obama administration was going to ration health care, the fact that the author was an Insurance lobbyist did not stop every dunderhead Rethug jumping on it. By the time CNN picked it up, Obama was going to be killing off the elderly.

So what is the reality of "Socialised Medicine"?

Have a proper look at the UK NHS. The UK spends less per person than the US Medicare system. Our overall combined (public / private) expenditure on health care is 1/3 less as a percentage spend of the GDP than the US and we have a higher life expectancy.

Go on go to the web site.

www.nhs.uk

The health service is fully comprehensive. Fully (to the extent that it is looking at even including alternative medicines).

Weight management clinics - check
chiropractic clinics - check
podiatry clinics (chiropodists)- check
smoking cessation (most definitely)
free flu jabs for the elderly - check

Choice in hospitals. Check.
A GP able to visit you in your home. Check
Cancer treatments started within two weeks. Check.
A target of 3month wait for the most minor of operation; soon to be reduced to one.

Not bad so far. For the 3 month wait for minor operations there are many in the US who spend far far longer times waiting for their insurance to come through.

If you do want private health care you can get it. For example www.bupa.co.uk and their comprehensive cover is far far cheaper than that of the US as they have to compete against free at the point of use. So your treatments from them are delivered in luxury hospitals, built more like hotels. For less than you pay for standard insurance.

As for what medical procedure is decided - Doctors decide. Always. There may be arguments about particular drugs, especially new ones, but a specialist body is responsible for resolving those. (Called NICE).

I would argue we have the better University Hospitals and better medical research. Competition between hospitals (patients are allowed to choose which hospital they want to go to) means machinery is advanced, not just up to date.

Cost per taxpayer. Our National Insurance system largely covers basic State Pensions and the NHS. The employer and employee pay an 11% contribution on earnings up to £40,000 ($60,000). Much much less than a mid cover health insurance would cost in the States. Your insurance would be cash limited too. It could run out mid treatment, on expensive heart surgery. In the UK. It will not be.

The NHS is a perfect example of good well run universal health care. When Republicans say that it will go bad, it means they will make it go bad as it is not Government that is bad, it is simply that they have no idea how to run good government.

As for any examples of right wing newspaper scare stories they throw at you about patients being left on trolleys (these are mobile beds not supermarket trolleys), for hours, awaiting treatment. They are at least awaiting treatment. They will have been seen by a nurse and doctor and will be prioritised. They will be seen. They will be treated. These stories come from Accident & Emergency Rooms where people come in with grazed knees or hacked off arms. Very serious injuries are seen immediately. Less serious injuries are seen within 2 to 4 hours. That is mandated target. That is a much much better situation than someone not being treated AT ALL because they have no insurance.