The Ledge's Monthly Approval of President Obama-Do You Approve??? August 2009

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

I'm not even sure why the NHS is coming under fire like this anyway. Compare by all means but to make sweeping statements and call people who think it's ok 'ignorant' is quite frankly a bit insulting

[jenniferuk]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

Thanks! Not sure how I missed that.

I have lived in the US for nearly 3 years now and I don't get all the UK news (I try to keep up) but this seems to be one of those things that comes up every few years and then goes away quietly! Easy to miss!

[estranged4life]

I have been dealing with medical issues, that have been getting somewhat worse in nature.

But at the same time I havent been waiting around for something to health lessen the amount of those medical costs, I pay them strictly out of pocket (ie I mailed off payment for a $405 medical bill this morning - and back on April 17th I payed off a bill of $9555.28 to the hospital where Debbie had some of her cancer treatments back in 2003-2004 along with some of my minor medical issues).

I have taken the money I received from Debbie's life insurance and signed up for a medical insurance plan this very day, so I will have coverage just in case something of a major issue rears its head in my direction ( I am covered through IHS via the Cherokee Nation, but IHS has to be one of the WORST medical service providers in all recorded history).

Debbie would want me to take care of myself, and that is what I have been doing as of late.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Michael Moore did over-idealise it for sure, in fact my friend and I did giggle when we saw Sicko in the cinema. But that said, my experiences with the NHS have all been positive.

i just find his tone awful. i can't stand him!

As for the point about the richer taxpayers who put more into the NHS, well you could say that about most public services. If someone has enough money to send their child to a private school, should that exclude their taxes from being used for public schools? If someone is well-off enough to never have to look at a used book should their taxes never be used for public libraries?

was this for me or brandon?

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Have you ever lived here? I've never waited two hours to see a doctor and as Pip says prescriptions aren't free. You seem to be talking about stuff you know nothing about. But I guess I'm the ignorant one.



Well, just last year my mother had major surgery on the NHS and this year she needs another surgery and only has to wait a couple of weeks for it. I feel like I've been spending all my time in hospitals recently. But I guess her issues are "minimal".



I agree, but I guess we're "ignorant".

Well it works for others and not for some. You can't deny there are millions of people in the UK that are not happy with the healthcare system.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

As for the point about the richer taxpayers who put more into the NHS, well you could say that about most public services. If someone has enough money to send their child to a private school, should that exclude their taxes from being used for public schools? If someone is well-off enough to never have to look at a used book should their taxes never be used for public libraries?

Right, so let's have the hard workers pay for everything for everyone. Again, I am all for people having health-care...or the option to have it available to them. But it's ridiculous to say it should be free.

If you aren't working, or you havent "paid your dues" I think it's insane to say that 20 pounds, or $40 is too much for a co-pay. Who's going to pay for that, then? The taypayer, right? How is that any more fair than not having "free" healthcare available to bums? (Everyone falls on hard times now and then, has children, has emergencies...I"m not talking about those situations...I'm talking about advantage takers)

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Right, so let's have the hard workers pay for everything for everyone. Again, I am all for people having health-care...or the option to have it available to them. But it's ridiculous to say it should be free.

If you aren't working, or you havent "paid your dues" I think it's insane to say that 20 pounds, or $40 is too much for a co-pay. Who's going to pay for that, then? The taypayer, right? How is that any more fair than not having "free" healthcare available to bums? (Everyone falls on hard times now and then, has children, has emergencies...I"m not talking about those situations...I'm talking about advantage takers)

Of course there are people that take the piss. But how would you be able to police it. £20 isn't too much? Tell that to someone out of work, or a single parent trying to support children etc. I'm sorry but some of you're remarks on here have been totally ignorant... yet it's us you accused of being that

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Well it works for others and not for some. You can't deny there are millions of people in the UK that are not happy with the healthcare system.

I've never come across anyone who would want to see the NHS abolished. But then what do I know.. I just live here..

[Cornflake Girl]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

I've never come across anyone who would want to see the NHS abolished. But then what do I know.. I just live here..

I agree with more or less all of your posts Pip! Of course the NHS isn't perfect, there is never going to be a system which pleases everybody but personally, I feel much better knowing that if I were to take seriously ill tomorrow, no matter what my financial status I would get the treatment I need.

Also, I guess Stephen Fry is ignorant too, he'll be pleased to know that
I just came across this on twitter and thought it was relevant:

"@stephenfryKnow this, Republicans.Even the most right wing British politician wouldn't think of dismantling our health service."

[Cornflake Girl]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Stephen Fry is absolutely right. Can you imagine the public outcry if they tried to dismantle the NHS? It just couldn't happen.

Dismantling the NHS is probably as unthinkable to Brits as having a government run health care system is to many Americans!

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by Cornflake Girl

I agree with more or less all of your posts Pip! Of course the NHS isn't perfect, there is never going to be a system which pleases everybody but personally, I feel much better knowing that if I were to take seriously ill tomorrow, no matter what my financial status I would get the treatment I need.

Also, I guess Stephen Fry is ignorant too, he'll be pleased to know that
I just came across this on twitter and thought it was relevant:

"@stephenfryKnow this, Republicans.Even the most right wing British politician wouldn't think of dismantling our health service."

Pah... Stephen Fry... what does he know! He's clearly as ignorant as the rest of us!

And I agree with you. We all know it isn't perfect but I'm very glad we have it!

And I certainly would never call it a '****' system

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

(Everyone falls on hard times now and then, has children, has emergencies...I"m not talking about those situations...I'm talking about advantage takers)

you know that kids are a choice, right?

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Brandon

cool. honestly, i don't know what the answer is for the US. as you know, my opinions are not coming from a place of extreme privilege. but i am leery of socialized medicine for the US. this country is just so huge and diverse i am not sure it would work here.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Personally I see healthcare as a basic human right.

That's an opinion. I think it should be available to everyone contributing to society. If you don't want to work then you don't get the perks.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by Gypsy-Rhiannon

I'm sorry but some of you're remarks on here have been totally ignorant... yet it's us you accused of being that

I'm going off what I know of the UK healthcare system by word of mouth from UK-ers that live here in New Zealand, and are happy to be away from the UK.

I never called anyone here ignorant, do not start skewing my comments please.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

I'm going off what I know of the UK healthcare system by word of mouth from UK-ers that live here in New Zealand, and are happy to be away from the UK.

I never called anyone here ignorant, do not start skewing my comments please.

I suggest you re-read your comments then. You have made sweeping statements as if you are an expert on the UK health system when you clearly have no clue what you are talking about. And for the record, the opinion on your friends isn't necessarily the voice of the UK.