What do the British think of the NHS?

Question

There is currently a debate in the US over the benefits and drawbacks of socializing medicine. I went to England, and my friend was run over by one of your beloved "Smart Cars." He only broke his arm, though. They took care of him, put a cast on him, and were pretty polite about it. They did all of this for free.
Do you think we should have a similar system in place in the US?

Thanks a lot, I can actually say I am learning something right now with all of your thoughts

Answer 1

Managed care means delayed care.

How long do people wait for needed procedures in so many socialized medicine countries?

Longer than you would like to admit.

Answer 2

There are some fabulous united answers on here which really shows the true support of Great Britain when it joins together. Everything has pretty much been covered, obviously the biggest negative is the fact it needs more funding,

Because of that I'm not sure why Wales & Scotland have gone for free prescriptions, considering those on benefits did get free prescriptions, as for everyone else even if they paid £1 or £2 for the prescription then this would go back in but as it is the medication is being purchased and given away....

Answer 3

The American people need to understand that the NHS [National Health Service] here in UK is born of Socialism and Socialist ideals of care for every citizen from the cradle to the grave.

What works for us here in UK may not go down too well in USA.

I worked for an American company [abc News] here in London for 23 years and my one abiding impression of Americans is their dislike of anything remotely 'socialist', which they confuse with Communism.

Socialism was very much part of the American Dream, but it got snuffed out by big business and greedy politics.

For Americans to have anything remotely like an NHS, they will first need to look back at their own Socialist history, much of which is hidden.

Meantime you'll just have to debate the issue until it either dies a death on the alter of despair, or you end up with a system similar but mainly all American.

Probably the best route for America is to take the bull by the horns and go flat out for a US version of the NHS.

Every citizen pays a monthly amount into the service. Here in UK we call this deduction National Insurance. It gets us free at point of need health care, benefits when were sick and off work or unemployed, plus a pension when we retire at age 60 for women and 65 for men.

I should explain to you that the British government [Labour] in 1945 which created the National Health Service almost bankrupted the country. It was not really their fault. Mostly it was massive American opposition to it. The USA put every difficulty in the way of creating the world's very first NHS.

In charge of UK we had Socialists. In charge of USA there were Republicans [conservatives] - just did not see eye to eye.

Go for it!

Answer 4

The NHS is excellent. It has a few glitches now and then, but what do you expect from a nationwide system? In the majority of cases, people get a first class service for their money. And however much we complain about it, we pay a lot less into the system and get a lot more out of it.

The American system should be changed so that those who have the prudence to take out Health Insurance should get the full benefit from it. It is scandalous that people die because their insurance company refuse to pay out. The government should take over, treat the patient and then take the insurance company to court and recover the money for the public purse, plus costs. In this way, they would not profit from withholding a valid claim. What do you think? By the way, what happens to you if you have no insurance and no job? In the US, do you literally die of poverty?

Answer 5

Yes, of course you SHOULD have free health care. But I just don't think you would be able to implement it on the scale we have it. Imagine the initial cost?
Perhaps if you brought it in in stages, say the over 60's and under 16's to start with. These are the main "At risk" groups. There are many things that are becoming bad about the NHS. We Brits moan about it because we believe if we pay our taxes for it, then we have a right to moan. I suppose we do. But, if I had a choice of paying my taxes and paying medical insurance, I know which I would choose. This generation have never really known anything else. Things could be worse... they could be MUCH worse.

Answer 6

The only way you can have that now in the US is by old fashion revolution. Health has long been recognised as big business and the US has always exploited its potential as a money generator along with Education and they are not about to let it be free without a fight. Here on the other hand, it is a fight to keep it free. And it is not really free because we do pay a social security amount each week apart from our taxes. But because we pay a fixed amount, it does not look so bad.

Answer 7

I hope that the US will eventually adopt a system like the NHS and I think that it is a shame that the American health insurace companies will do thier best to pursuade voters that this is a bad idea.

Without the NHS my son would have died in childbirth 9 years ago. After our spell in hospital we were cared for by our NHS Midwiffery team and our NHS G.P. They all work long hours for low pay in an underfunded system. They are the unsung heros of UK life.

Answer 8

The NHS is an institution which is dear to our hearts, politicians meddle at their peril. It is not free though as we pay for it out of our taxes. It has its problems like waiting lists, top heavy management and it is a money pit but we would not have the American system. I think health care is a basic human right like education, so yes I believe you should have a social medicine programme like the NHS.

Answer 9

People complain about the NHS yet if we did not have it we would be in big trouble.They saved my partners life.I have nothing but respect & admirations for our doctors & nurses.
I think the problem with the NHS they have way too many pen pushers.Also since they changed the way GP's Surgery works they seem to get more money work less yet the hospital staff have longer hours less pay & do a better job.Then we come to the pen pushers they work the basic hours I would love to know what wages there on.

Answer 10

The NHS is one of the most important factors for the majority of people in Britain when choosing which of the three main political parties to vote for.
Many of us complain about it for various reasons (it needs more spent on it, it needs privatising etc) but if any govt tried to do away with it there would be a national outcry.
It is probably the greatest creation of one of Britains socialist governments(1946). It makes sure that nobody is without some form of healthcare.
The States should really consider it. Although I suppose all Republicans would scream "communism!" and then try and invade Canada...

Answer 11

Thanks to the NHS, my husband is still with me! He had a quadruple bypass in 2004 and I cannot praise the wonderful surgeon Mr.Sakar and his marvellous team enough.It takes something like this in your family to fully appreciate how wonderful our system is.He pays into it through his National Insurance stamp every week and he certainly got his money's worth.I think all medicine and health care should be free to all and paid for through a national Insurance contribution and lottery instead of all the hairbrained schemes lottery cash goes to as a rule.Las vegas could pay a health tax through it's casinos that would probably pay for it all !.