British Expatriate Network

For those in the US, I'd appreciate hearing which healthcare system you prefer -UK or US.

I know we've argued about which is the best and/or how crap they all are a zillion times, and please fell free to do it again if you feel it's been too long, but what I really want to know is simply which one you prefer when it comes down to the wire. and yes, I have included a few in between options.

thanks

oh and I want to know because on I keep seeing discussions beteeen people who haven't experienced both systems comparing them, so I'm interested in the general opinion of those who have.

Both pretty useless. In the UK the treatment is sub-standard, but you are guaranteed some kind of treatment.

In the US the treatment is so-so, but only if you're fairly wealthy, and insurance co.s have a million ways to duck out of paying or treating you if they want to.

Neither is much good.

My insurance company won't cover me for certain prescriptions if I don't use the generic alternative. Doesn't matter if there is NO generic alternative, they still won't cover me.

They won't cover the cost of midwife care for my pregnancy, even though it saves them thousands of dollars. They won't support the cost of a homebirth, even though research shows it to cost a third of a hospital birth.

In the UK I could do what I wanted, as long as there were enough midwives available. Oh, and a bed free. Oh, and a nurse working. Oh, and if I don't mind getting MRSA.

Both suck.

Stel.[/i]

:shock: did I know you were up the duff? or is this a hypothetical pregnancy?

we really need a double-take smiley

That's one reason why I could never have a baby here (yes, Monster, we knew ;) )

However, it would be interesting to know how much it would cost if you paid for a midwife/homebirth yourself.

I spoke to a British woman here who had her son in a midwife center. She loved it and had a great experience. Unfortunately, due to lack of use, the center had to close and I think that is one of the biggest problems here - fear is put into people that they are afraid to even see the bigger picture.

Can I vote for the US system even though I feel this way about pregnancies and deliveries? I like the US system but then in NYstate there are safeguards in place for those who can't afford insurance. Even for those who do have insurance actually - if you have children under 16, no matter how much you earn the children are entitled to medical care and prevention. If you take your child to specific centers you don't have to hand over your insurance details in order for your child to see a doctor, and you are not charged a penny. some of the local hospitals in the area are providing emergency care without asking for insurance details or a copay as long as you go with a true emergency.

you can vote for whatever you damn well please, love....

Nigel and Mrs Nigel used a midwiffery thing, didn't they?

I haven't used UK health care system for over 20years now, so can only go by what relatives tell me about it. Over all they seem OKay with it but I raise my eyebrows when I here them tell of appointment waiting times.

Here where I live in Oregon, we have only one local hospital. We had two but one closed down many years ago.
When Mr Melhug had his heart attack this past January, the paramedics were here in less than five minutes and an hour after that, hubby was in hospital having stents put in to open up arteries. The cardiologist himself took me aside the next day and showed me on film the remaining arteries that needed seeing to to save my hubbys life. He took his time and explained all I needed to know.
We went to Portland, OHSU to have Mr Melhug's triple bipass op. Again the staff and especially the surgeon had time and patience for our many questions. The equipment was top of the line and the few complaints we did have were taken care of immediately. In one case the window blind did not work and the sun was shining (hotly) on Hubby who was not allowed to move at the time. He was given a different room when we mentioned it.

My problem with the US health care is that not everyone can use it. If you are rich then you have the money to buy health insurance. If you are poor you can get it on the state. but, if you are middle of the road and do not have insurance offered from work then you may well be stuck. I know many folks in this siituation.

We were lucky. Hubby was covered by three insurances at the time of his need for drastic health care.
He will not be going back to work now, so we will lose the main one. He is retired USAF and so is still covered by the military health care program, we just have much higher deductables now. He is also old enough to receive medicare.

I have no complaints about health care I have received. I did have a doctor I was not happy with and I changed to one who would work with me on using my own home made tinctures and remedies to replace some of the prescription meds I was on.
I now have a say in my own health care and although I need some prescription meds, we have proved that my herbal meds do in fact work. They are cheaper too!

I am happy with the care we currently have in the US, but like to see it available to everybody no matter what their income.

Did I actually answer your question Monster???? ? -?

Okay, so I'm going to reply the US but just so you know that is with a few exceptions (nothing like being awkward ;) ).

Neither system is perfect but on balance I would plum for the UK.
Universiality trumps everything and for all the criticism, the stats sho you will live longer in the UK than in the US and that infant mortality rates are lower there than here.
Also, my personal experience of the US system has been that the quality of service is no different from the UK. Perhaps not representative, but true nonetheless.

I vote UK. I'm a bit socialist so I believe we should be helping each other out on things like health - we all get sick or have accidents now and again. And I think it is actually cheaper in the UK.

Only downside in UK as I see it is waiting times. But I think I'd prefer that problem than the exclusivity of the US system. Service quality etc is about the same. I'd say better in UK for seeing a GP.

Cheers
Timbo

I voted for UK coverage with US service if that means getting what you need when you need it and not having to bring your own toilet paper to the hospital!

I have never been in a UK hospital except as a visitor, so I can't comment on that. Over here they are a bit OTT about testing you for everything you may or may not have, but this means a greater chance of an early diagnosis and treatment if they do find something.

I would much prefer an inclusive system and not to have to worry about the insurance money running out before being fully treated. In the UK, once you are on the radar for serious treatment, you get it and they will keep it going until you don't need it any more. No worries about a recurrence because they will do it all again and again if they have to. Over here the money is likely to have run out after the first lot. That is very worrying.

High quality health care for all at an affordable cost for all, that's what I'd vote for.

UK culture/service with US (private) funding.

The cultures are just not the same, so it can be hard to compare the two. UK is much more holistic; US is specialist-based. UK is more research-focussed; US personal preference of the consultant.

$5,000. Which includes pre-natal and post partum care plus a homebirth with 2 attendants and a birth pool. Doesn't include blood work, scans or any of that lovely stuff.

Will probably end up coughing up the whole thing ourselves since H's insurance co. don't cover out of network and I doubt his boss wants to pay for my whimsical birth ideas.. :roll:

So a very even split. thanks, guys.