I'm a big fan of Micheal Moore's films, Have you seen Sicko? but my aunt lives in England and my dad has type 2 diabetes and had a double by-pass, but might need to have heart surgery again. We asked her about what we saw in in the movie about England, she said that you could go and see the doctor but you would still have to pay.........I'ld like to here from anyone in any other country that can tell me if that movie is accurate.
Are there any countries where you can get serious medical care like heart surgery for free? And what are the rules for foreigners? In the movie they said that you don't have to pay for college in France, is that so?
2007-07-28 15:58:13 · 8 answers · asked by orajin666 2 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
I haven't seen Sicko, but I looked it up, and from what I can see about what it says on the UK, it is true. We pay for our healthcare through tax, and the NHS (national health service) will provide health care for free. About the only charge is for those between the ages of 17 and 59 who are not in full-time education, and not on benefits (welfare) have to pay £6.65 for each prescription, no matter how much the medicine cost the NHS. My grandma who is 86 and who has had 4 heart attacks, and has type 2 diabetes, and is on about 14 different types of medicine doesn't have to pay anything.
If a foreigner is injured in the UK, then they will always treat first and ask questions later. However, unless they are an EU citizen, they will make the person, or their health/travel insurance company pay for the treatment. This is the same as in Canada, because I hurt my leg whilst skiing there and had to go and see the doctor. It was not free - we had to pay for it upfront and then the travel insurance company then reimbursed us.
The NHS does not support healthcare tourism, and so unless your dad moved to the UK and started paying tax, they would refuse to treat him.
2007-07-28 23:54:01 · answer #1 · answered by Helena 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can answer bits and pieces in your question :)
I'm French and went to uni in France (university not some top notch elite school) and paid a one off tuition fee at the beginning of each year, and spent 4yrs studying. It wasn't much at all and is nothing close to what you would pay in the UK or the US. I went to summer school in the US and paid more there for 2 months of college than 2 years of uni in France. There are some changes that are going to be made to the uni system in France in the near future, not too sure what it's about though.
I lived in London for 2yrs and as an EU citizen, I was entitled to the same benefits as a British citizen. I had to go to the doctor a few times, nothing major though. I did not pay for the visit but had to pay for the prescription. It was just a visit to my local GP. I understand this is different for visit to specialists or private care. Healthcare in France is slightly different, everyone is entitled to social security but benefits are better if you have a private insurance on top of the basic benefits (which you can get with your job for example). My mom, who is from the US but lives in France, had the same healthcare benefits as a French person because she was a legal immigrant in the country; she has since then become French so it's all good.
2007-07-28 16:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by jmp78 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The NHS (National Health System) is available for anyone legally living in the UK. They do not turn anyone away. The UK has one of the most enviable public health care in the world.
However, for major surgery etc, there tends to be a waiting list. Most people supplement their public health care by taking out private health insurance instead. By doing this you can often reduce the waiting time by going privately.
There is a minimal fee required for prescriptions. A lot of people who have only ever lived in the Uk have no concept of how expensive medication is. The cost of it is heavily subsidised for residents of the UK.
2007-07-28 16:24:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Smilingireland is right, I had no idea how nice health care is in Britain.
Then I went on holiday.
I had to produce my NHS EHIC card (British state health insurance) before they would even consider treating me!
It was far scarier than than the injury, it's made me paranoid about loseing the card when out of the country.
2007-07-30 11:09:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-10 18:01:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
people in the uk pay lots of taxes to get free medical care, so its not free really, and the people not paying taxes shouldnt be allowed it for free, or tax payers are paying for somneone elses treatment. you can also take out private medical cover, the price goes on your age and previous medical history.
2007-07-29 00:38:52 · answer #6 · answered by leigha 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if your aunt is british or some european you wont pay for treatment while living here.if you are just a foreigner looking for a freebie,how can I put this politely?Nope,I can't,can I suggest you read a more balanced author as well,michael moore is total pants
As for how much does it cost?For resident taxpayers about one quarter of their income,for foreign freeloaders .........jack-sh1t
2007-07-28 22:14:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best answer is from smilingireland she is spot on and there is nothing more I can add to her great explanation.
2007-07-28 20:56:12 · answer #8 · answered by roger k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋