comment by Sell Ramsey and Wilshere. Buy Verratti and Rabiot. #Simple (U10012)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by redmisty (U7556)
posted 4 seconds ago
He is literally hitler
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Literally?


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Literally has no clue what "literally" means....
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Think he was joking....... like, literally joking maaaaan!!

comment by Freedom FC (Welcome to Texas) (U7214)
posted 37 minutes ago
I don't get why people are still vehemently for Obamacare. It clearly hasn't worked.

Those who say that they're just going to repeal this, leaving millions of people without healthcare, are the politicians really that stupid? Come on. Think.
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Whilst far from perfect, my understanding of the ACA is it's at least a model/template, which, with a bit of tweaking, could be a long term solution to the US healthcare problem.

As far as my understanding goes, Trump has yet to provide (nor cost) a viable alternative?

You might have seen it but there was a meme doing the rounds on social media, of a guy who was overjoyed that his vote for Trump would see the end of Obamacare.

When asked about his own healthcare, he stated all his meds and treatment were covered by the affordable care act!

As far as my understanding goes, Trump has yet to provide (nor cost) a viable alternative?
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That is correct. That's why he keeps saying "We are going to repeal and replace Obamacare" not "we repealed Obamacare".

It hasn't been done yet because they're drafting up a new one as we speak. No one is saying that they should tear up the whole thing and leave millions without healthcare. The media is twisting this up to be something it isn't (blame whoever you want for the misconception, I got the media on this.)

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? (U3126)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Freedom FC (Welcome to Texas) (U7214)
posted 37 minutes ago
I don't get why people are still vehemently for Obamacare. It clearly hasn't worked.

Those who say that they're just going to repeal this, leaving millions of people without healthcare, are the politicians really that stupid? Come on. Think.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Whilst far from perfect, my understanding of the ACA is it's at least a model/template, which, with a bit of tweaking, could be a long term solution to the US healthcare problem.

As far as my understanding goes, Trump has yet to provide (nor cost) a viable alternative?

You might have seen it but there was a meme doing the rounds on social media, of a guy who was overjoyed that his vote for Trump would see the end of Obamacare.

When asked about his own healthcare, he stated all his meds and treatment were covered by the affordable care act!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It will be interesting to see where he goes with healthcare.

Whether you're a fan of Obamacare and the changes it brought in access to and the quality of healthcare for less affluent Americans or not, the simple fact is that the state of the health of the American people is an utter mess.

Despite spending more on health care per capita and more on health care as percentage of its GDP than any other nation in recent years, the US has *the* worst health outcomes amongst developed countries.

Of wealthy nations, it has the highest or near-highest prevalence of obesity, infant mortality, heart and lung disease, sexually transmitted infections, adolescent pregnancies, injuries and homicide.

Obviously, not all of that is down to the healthcare system, and it reflects the funding of public health services, and American law, public spending and society more widely.

But it certainly does not help that Mexico and Turkey aside, the US is the only OECD nation that does not guarantee access to health care for its entire population.

Universal healthcare surely has to be a requisite, never mind an aim, for any civilised state; and *if* repealing Obamacare leaves more Americans without access to affordable healthcare, the US may end up in the embarrassing position of sitting below the likes of the Central and South American and East Asian states in terms of health outcomes.

An aside, I realise, but I thought Turkey did have health care for its entire population?

Curious as to how americas healthcare actually works, if i was on say holiday without insurance and had no way to pay would they treat me or just let me die?

comment by Freedom FC (Welcome to Texas) (U7214)
posted 3 minutes ago
As far as my understanding goes, Trump has yet to provide (nor cost) a viable alternative?
---------------------------------------------------------------
That is correct. That's why he keeps saying "We are going to repeal and replace Obamacare" not "we repealed Obamacare".

It hasn't been done yet because they're drafting up a new one as we speak. No one is saying that they should tear up the whole thing and leave millions without healthcare. The media is twisting this up to be something it isn't (blame whoever you want for the misconception, I got the media on this.)
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There are already millions without healthcare. About 35 million people if I remember rightly?

The result of which is tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths every year.

comment by HenrysCat (U3608)
posted 2 minutes ago
An aside, I realise, but I thought Turkey did have health care for its entire population?
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My bad.

Having just checked, as of 2012 and the Universal Health Insurance Law, all registered Turkish residents can receive medical treatment free of charge

If there are 35m people without healthcare, is Obamacare really working then?

Never seen that number before but I'll take your word for it.

comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 2 minutes ago
Curious as to how americas healthcare actually works, if i was on say holiday without insurance and had no way to pay would they treat me or just let me die?
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Foreign visitors without travel health insurance have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment, including emergency care.

If you show up at an emergency room without health insurance, unless you have a very large bank balance or suitcase full of cash, you will be kindly asked to leave the premises.

There are still 'welfare hospitals' in some cities, but I believe most of them have now shutdown, and if you can find one, there are usually very long waiting times for treatment.

No facking way would I travel to the US without travel healthcare insurance. That would be a very large dice roll.

comment by Freedom FC (Welcome to Texas) (U7214)
posted 4 minutes ago
If there are 35m people without healthcare, is Obamacare really working then?

Never seen that number before but I'll take your word for it.
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From CNBC:

"In the first quarter of 2016, there were 8.6 percent of Americans — or about 27.3 million people — who were uninsured, the first time in history that the nation's uninsured rate fell below 9 percent.

In 2010, the year that the Affordable Care Act became law, 48.6 million Americans, or 16 percent of the population, lacked insurance. Since then, the uninsured rate has been cut almost in half, and the trend has only continued this year."

My figures were out of date it would seem.

It looks like the number of uninsured was heading in the right direction, but 27 point something million uninsured is still an incredible number of people without access to healthcare.

I read another frightening stat recently, that twenty something percent of US retirees end up declaring themselves bankrupt as a result of unaffordable medical expenses!

Have you heard that one? I remember thinking it just can't be true!

Probably not, I dunno what the numbers are these days but it's nice to see the numbers go down and shocking to see the US retirees declaring bankruptcy

The problem doesn't fall on how many people sign up healthcare insurance. The problems (1) falls on whether the insurance would be accepted when someone go to the doctor's office and (2) what constitute as insurance to be affordable?

Medicare/Medicaid (never got them straight) are the ones who are paying the retirees their doctors bills, medicine, etc. Unless you retire too early, everyone should be covered under that (65 years and older). The people you are describing are probably people who are in the fifties who are either retired or is out of a job (thus calling themselves retirees).

Medicare doesn't cover everything for over-65s though right?

I'm pretty sure it doesn't include long-term care and custodial care, and skilled nursing care is covered for only a limited time period.

Plus there are a load of deductibles still to pay and a bunch of related exemptions, like non-emergency transport, eyecare, dental care, foot care, etc.

It'll likely be long term nursing care that will be crippling people financially.

And were it's crippling the finances of the American individual, it's crippling state coffers elsewhere in the developed world.

With all aspects of the cost of care rising seemingly exponentially (drug costs doubling in a decade, custodial care costs going through the roof), life expectancy creeping up and an ageing demographic, that one is a key question for large parts of the world in the 21st century.

Not sure what answers there are to that one (that can be mooted in public, at least )

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Just Shoot (U10408)
posted 14 hours, 51 minutes ago
We are very lucky in that we have the NHS. It may have its flaws and problems, but it is something to be cherished.

I have travelled to many countries and lived in a couple, but I just can't shake the feeling that one of the parameters for a civilised country is (or should be) free healthcare.

And the strange thing is, that even though we don't like paying taxes, NI contributions included, I think every person I have spoken to would agree to paying more to help the NHS. We all need to be healthy, but some of us are unfortunate to get terrible diseases or illnesses.

I remember watching Breaking Bad (I know it is a TV show, but the situation is reflective of reality) and Walter White and his wife were discussing whether to let his cancer kill him, or remortgage/sell the house to pay for the chance he may survive. Seriously, in this day and age with many people and countries awash with money, we are still at this stage of human evolution? The need to value your life (or your partner/parent/child) at a financial level is wrong, wrong, wrong.
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And Theresa May is about to destroy all of this by allowing US trade deal

I don't see a long term future for the NHS. I'd rather we look towards a healthcare reform now rather then just constantly putting more and more money into a sinking service.

comment by Sell Ramsey and Wilshere. Buy Verratti and Rabiot. #Simple (U10012)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Just Shoot (U10408)
posted 14 hours, 51 minutes ago
We are very lucky in that we have the NHS. It may have its flaws and problems, but it is something to be cherished.

I have travelled to many countries and lived in a couple, but I just can't shake the feeling that one of the parameters for a civilised country is (or should be) free healthcare.

And the strange thing is, that even though we don't like paying taxes, NI contributions included, I think every person I have spoken to would agree to paying more to help the NHS. We all need to be healthy, but some of us are unfortunate to get terrible diseases or illnesses.

I remember watching Breaking Bad (I know it is a TV show, but the situation is reflective of reality) and Walter White and his wife were discussing whether to let his cancer kill him, or remortgage/sell the house to pay for the chance he may survive. Seriously, in this day and age with many people and countries awash with money, we are still at this stage of human evolution? The need to value your life (or your partner/parent/child) at a financial level is wrong, wrong, wrong.
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And Theresa May is about to destroy all of this by allowing US trade deal
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I had mentioned on the Brexit thread, a renegotiated trade deal with the US is a long way off.

Trump will more than likely have served his term by the time the UK are in a position to formally negotiate.

comment by rossobianchi - Got_Nameback (U17054)
posted about 17 hours ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 2 minutes ago
Curious as to how americas healthcare actually works, if i was on say holiday without insurance and had no way to pay would they treat me or just let me die?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign visitors without travel health insurance have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment, including emergency care.

If you show up at an emergency room without health insurance, unless you have a very large bank balance or suitcase full of cash, you will be kindly asked to leave the premises.

There are still 'welfare hospitals' in some cities, but I believe most of them have now shutdown, and if you can find one, there are usually very long waiting times for treatment.

No facking way would I travel to the US without travel healthcare insurance. That would be a very large dice roll.
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So if i got hit by a car theyd just leave me/move me to somewhere to die!? <yikes?

comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by rossobianchi - Got_Nameback (U17054)
posted about 17 hours ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 2 minutes ago
Curious as to how americas healthcare actually works, if i was on say holiday without insurance and had no way to pay would they treat me or just let me die?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign visitors without travel health insurance have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment, including emergency care.

If you show up at an emergency room without health insurance, unless you have a very large bank balance or suitcase full of cash, you will be kindly asked to leave the premises.

There are still 'welfare hospitals' in some cities, but I believe most of them have now shutdown, and if you can find one, there are usually very long waiting times for treatment.

No facking way would I travel to the US without travel healthcare insurance. That would be a very large dice roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So if i got hit by a car theyd just leave me/move me to somewhere to die!? <yikes?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They would call it natural selection.

Get rich or die tryin is their motto

comment by Sell Ramsey and Wilshere. Buy Verratti and Rabiot. #Simple (U10012)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by rossobianchi - Got_Nameback (U17054)
posted about 17 hours ago
comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 2 minutes ago
Curious as to how americas healthcare actually works, if i was on say holiday without insurance and had no way to pay would they treat me or just let me die?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign visitors without travel health insurance have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment, including emergency care.

If you show up at an emergency room without health insurance, unless you have a very large bank balance or suitcase full of cash, you will be kindly asked to leave the premises.

There are still 'welfare hospitals' in some cities, but I believe most of them have now shutdown, and if you can find one, there are usually very long waiting times for treatment.

No facking way would I travel to the US without travel healthcare insurance. That would be a very large dice roll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So if i got hit by a car theyd just leave me/move me to somewhere to die!? <yikes?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They would call it natural selection.

Get rich or die tryin is their motto
----------------------------------------------------------------------
i thought theyd atleast have to administer first aid to get you stable then ask about money etc

I’m not sure how much things have changed but I remember watching ‘Sicko’ (Michael Moore film) years ago.

NY firefighters, police, ambulance staff, volunteers etc who had contracted various respiratory conditions (amongst others) helping (and saving lives) after/during the 9/11 attacks, were forced to go to Cuba to get treated. As the US government refused to assist.

I understand that the NHS need changes as obviously it is losing too much money as it is now. But why would anyone try to copy the US system when the health system in Germany and France (closer to the UK) seem to work "ok"?

Not an expert on the NHS by any stretch of the imagination but consider the amount of money the large pharmaceutical companies make from selling their products, I’d imagine it accounts for a large percentage of the NHS budget.

If medicine was made cheaper I’m sure it would address many of the budgetary stresses on health services.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pharmaceutical-company-accused-of-overcharging-nhs

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? (U3126)
posted 2 minutes ago
Not an expert on the NHS by any stretch of the imagination but consider the amount of money the large pharmaceutical companies make from selling their products, I’d imagine it accounts for a large percentage of the NHS budget.

If medicine was made cheaper I’m sure it would address many of the budgetary stresses on health services.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pharmaceutical-company-accused-of-overcharging-nhs

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But this is the thing, why is there not a law to prevent price increase of a generic drug?
This, in my head just doesn't make any sense at all. the whole point of having a generic drug is that it is supposed to be cheaper than the branded one becaue they haven't paid for the R&D work and clinical trials leading to commercialisation.
The patent has basically ran out and they "helped" themselves.
GP should also be investigated and fined if they were to prescribed more expensive drugs when cheaper are available, unless of course the patient is willing to pay for it.