Comparing U.S. Health Care to England’s System

I am not saying this just because I am English and would receive socialized health care if I were still living in England. Just recently, I have seen so many people using the system here in the states.

I know at least 3 people who are on disability and are still working. They get the equivalent of socialized health care with free hospitalization, doctor’s visits and prescription drugs while idiots like us are paying for it.

One person is overweight and I believe that this is why they have had to have both knees replaced and the next step is a hip replacement. I am sure if they were paying for the procedures through insurance premium, deductibles, and co-payments they might think twice about so many hospital stays and rehab.

Another person has been in and out of hospital several times this year and to the emergency room, just to be told that stress or anxiety was causing their problem. I suffer with anxiety and panic disorder and don’t intend to go to the emergency room, pay the hundreds or thousands of dollars out of my own pocket just for that diagnosis.

In England only people that are working pay into the health care system. Children get it for free, stay at home parents are also free, people like my Len with chronic illnesses are totally free, people out of work, and retirees don’t pay. It doesn’t cost anything to go to your doctor, an emergency room visit or a stay in hospital. However everyone pays the same amount of money for a prescription regardless of whether it is $2 or $500.

People say that the system is broken in England and Canada. Well, it is far from perfect but I would much rather know that I may have to wait for a non-urgent procedure but if it were life threatening I would be taken in immediately and have no worries about paying.

Len’s first trip to the emergency room was with a heart attack. We had medical insurance in the U.S. for $2,000,000. He was kept waiting while the office staff were trying to contact the insurance company to see what his deductible was. I got so mad with them and suggested they treat the patient and I would wait with the employee and give her a check or visa card for whatever amount she needed. Two hours later, and the paperwork finished, I finally was able to go through and visit with Len.

An instance like this would never have happened in England because there would be no payment due.

I will be 60 in February and that is the age for women to retire in England. However, I will continue to work part-time to cover my medical premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. People ask me why I don’t go back to England and save a fortune in medical costs. The reason: I love the Florida’s weather and the way of life.