View Full Version : Britain's National Health Service celebrates its 60th birthday
k4kyv
07-02-2008, 08:20 PM
This summer, the NHS marks its 60th birthday and the British public really ought to be celebrating with it; after all, six decades of free healthcare is not to be sniffed at.
To commemorate the landmark occasion, MSN News UK has compiled a special report looking back at 60 years of healthcare since the NHS was born on July 5, 1948.
...you can’t truly appreciate the glory of the NHS until you’ve been somewhere where it doesn't exist.
Like the United States, which spends more of its GDP on health than any other nation in the world, yet is the only wealthy, industrialised country without a universal health care system and has almost 50 million people unable to afford any health insurance whatsoever.
But not everyone is praising its present condition...
At nearly 60 years of age, Michael Walford has been around almost as long as the NHS - and has a lot to thank it for. But the money broker is now being treated privately, because he fears contracting a superbug like MRSA in “filthy” wards.
MSN Special Report on NHS (http://news.uk.msn.com/nhs-at-60-special-report.aspx)
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N4VGB
07-02-2008, 08:55 PM
This summer, the NHS marks its 60th birthday and the British public really ought to be celebrating with it; after all, six decades of free healthcare is not to be sniffed at.
Well that's strange Don. Never heard a Brit claim their health care was free! Gee, we could probably put a 100% tax on gasoline, just like England, pay $8 per gallon just like in England and maybe fund "free health care" for all? Not sure about those numbers?
Don, at your age and being a retired teacher, I'd have thought you knew that nothing was free in this world by now?
k4kyv
07-02-2008, 10:18 PM
Where do you see that I said it was "free"? Read the articles and check out the links.
N4VGB
07-03-2008, 02:35 AM
Where do you see that I said it was "free"? Read the articles and check out the links.
You forgot to put the first line in as a quote.;)
Anything not denoted as a quote, I presume is from the poster or a statement of agreement.:)
Given that my NI tax PLUS my income tax = my total US tax bill it sure looks free on my end.:cool:
BTW - Notice the poll? 70% claim the UK has one of the worlds best health care systems. 70%. You see that Jethro? How about you Doc?:eek:
That's more than just satisfied, that's downright happy about it.:D
A little aside:
My wife had a cancerous mole on her back yesterday (small and not all that advanced), she went in on Tuesday to have it looked at and the diagnoses was made immediately (lab results and all within 6 hours). She went in this morning and had it removed (no charge) along with 5 other suspect moles. Her 4 bottles of cancer meds cost us 7 pounds and she has a follow up in a week. When her NI number comes in (in about a week) her continuing meds if needed will be free of charge. As are her anti seizure meds (they cost us $389 a month in the US -WITH- top notch insurance).
Your claims of outrageous waits and poor service are unfounded and wrong. Dare I even say, outright lie.
But please keep using them, it wouldn't do to have you guys suddenly start showing any kind of integrity or anything...:p
k4kyv
07-03-2008, 11:34 PM
Given that my NI tax PLUS my income tax = my total US tax bill it sure looks free on my end.:cool:
Are you double taxed, and pay US income tax on top of the UK taxes?
To make an even comparison, you would have to compare your NI tax PLUS UK income tax to your annual medical insurance premiums PLUS your US tax bill when working in the US.
But I'm sure your tax premium for world policing is less than ours.
Are you double taxed, and pay US income tax on top of the UK taxes?
To make an even comparison, you would have to compare your NI tax PLUS UK income tax to your annual medical insurance premiums PLUS your US tax bill when working in the US.
But I'm sure your tax premium for world policing is less than ours.
Nope, since my tax here equals my tax there I get a foreign tax credit that eliminates my US tax burden. Would have been different if I were living in Switzerland where the tax rate is so low.
OK, lets be fair then.
I pay 10% less here than I did in the US when my premiums over there are included.
So all in all, being completely fair about it, I pay less here and get more.:D