now they’ve gone too far
the lies they’re slanging around in the u.s. about healthcare, have now reached my shores. i said the other day that i wouldn’t dignify the absurdity with a response, but now people with absolutely *no* experience of what they’re talking about, are slagging off my nhs.
that’s right, my nhs. the system i have, in the past 6 years, come to regard as quite precious to me.
in case anyone stateside is looking for some truth, here it is:
in this country, we view basic healthcare is a *fundamental human right*. that means it is free at point of service to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, weight, sexuality, pre-existing condition, income level, employment status, maternity status, mental status, or disability. that means when i go to the doctor, i never once have to take out my wallet. not once. that means i don’t have to worry about eligibility periods, or COBRA payments, or copays, or excluded conditions, or health savings funds, or coverage levels, or HMOs, or PPOs, or staying in-network, or annual deductibles, or employer contributions, or payment plans, or contract clauses, or invoices.
i simply go see my doctor, and they treat me.
it’s not perfect – in fact, far from it. but it’s still a damn sight better than any system currently in place in the u.s.
oh, and if i don’t like it? i can go private.
but don’t take my word for it. check out the facts for yourself here and here.
i’m tempted to say that if people are stupid enough to buy into the lies and fearmongering, they’ll get the system they deserve… but they won’t. because what everyone actually deserves is universal healthcare.
Comment by Dave
12.08.2009 @ 20:05 pm
Yea, it is bad. Misinformation anywhere, god forbid we all just get the damn facts without all the fearmongering (especially from “Faux” News). The one thing I am happy about is that they did not slam this through in a hurry (although they tried)…this is a huge bill that most of the politicians themselves said they havent read yet. What!?!?!?! Give the american people REAL information and let them decide and debate. Enough with the labels and chicken little “the sky is falling” tactics. (shhh…dont tell anyone….but we already have a “socialized medecine” programme…it’s called Medicare)
Comment by Noble Savage
13.08.2009 @ 20:32 pm
There are so many face-meet-palm moments when reading about these town hall “debates” which actually just consist of hysterical, terrified, uninformed people screaming their heads off about socialism, Russia and death panels. It’s so absurd that I sometimes think it’s a cartoon drawn by Seth MacFarlane or Matt Groening. Can we Room 101 these people, please?
Comment by A Free Man
14.08.2009 @ 05:00 am
I loved the NHS. Never had a bit of trouble in the UK and I was in the hospital a couple of times. My son was born in the NHS system and not only did it not cost us anything but we had wonderful care from midwives and doctors. The Aussie system isn’t quite as good, there’s a healthy private insurance industry. But I stay in the public system because I don’t trust insurance companies. And again – wonderful care, efficient, and FREE.