2007-06-05 11:41:21 · 7 answers · asked by jessie 3 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
Whilst it may appear to be free to those from overseas, the National Health Service in this country is funded by National Insurance contributions and incredibly high taxes, which are deducted directly from a person's wages before they get paid...it accounts for the difference in what you earn and what you actually end up with. Unless you are on benefits you also have to pay for your prescriptions, though if you have a condition whereby you have to take medication for life or you will pop your clogs, then usually the medication is "free of charge".
The NHS also provides lower cost dentistry...but trying to register with a dentist through the NHS nowadays is like looking for that elusive needle in a haystack...and many do go abroad for cheaper care...
2007-06-05 22:28:15 · answer #1 · answered by sarch_uk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have the NHS (National Health Service) which is payed for through our taxes.
Most things are free, but presciption medicines are £6.65 (no matter what they are), unless you are exempt from paying, and most people have to pay for dentistry.
I'm incredibly glad that we have the NHS, because they payed for a bloody expensive operation I needed, which had I lived in the USA and not had health insurance, I could not have afforded.
2007-06-06 06:45:19 · answer #2 · answered by Helena 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have something called the National Health System (NHS), which is free only because it's paid through taxes. I think if you can afford your won health care you can buy it because the NHS is criticized for being not effective, but everyone is entitled to use of the NHS.
2007-06-05 18:47:04 · answer #3 · answered by pditty 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Free at the point of use. We pay for it through taxation rather than having to take out medical insurance.
2007-06-06 17:37:21 · answer #4 · answered by muppetofkent 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do have the NHS. I know you can have babies there on the NHS and not pay, some medicines are free....birth control, childrens medicine...........look up NHS on the web. It will tell you more.
2007-06-05 23:30:54 · answer #5 · answered by CASISRAD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes for it's citizens, of course they pay for it though high taxes.
However many hate it for it's substandard care and long waits for just about anything. Many of those with money travel overseas to have some operations. Same problem every country with universal health care has, Canada is infamous for those problems.
2007-06-05 18:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by Just a friend. 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Its not free, we pay for it though our national insurance which is taken from our wages.
2007-06-05 18:46:00 · answer #7 · answered by stevo132001 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋