4 ms·

I think what you're trying to say is that there are always limits to what care is available, and that the best possible care is not always provided due to resou

I think what you're trying to say is that there are always limits to what care is available, and that the best possible care is not always provided due to resource constraints. There are of course always methods for determining who gets care, but at least as far as the UK goes, anyone who is legally resident in the UK can walk into a hospital and get largely the same healthcare as anyone else. If you're not legally resident in the UK (i.e., you're a visitor or undocumented), you will receive emergency care and primary care without charge, and you will only be charged if you're admitted to hospital. Many countries (including the EU) have arrangements so that their citizens/residents won't be charged even in those circumstances. Almost every developed country on the planet other than the US has universal healthcare. The notion that you will be cut off because you can't pay is the exception not the rule.

908B64B197 4y ago
> There are of course always methods for determining who gets care, but at least as far as the UK goes, anyone who is legally resident in the UK can walk into a hospital and get largely the same healthcare as anyone else. They are allowed the privilege of a multi-year waiting list for basic procedures (unless they happen to be high enough socially to rub elbows with doctors.)
- dundarious 4y ago
  The waiting lists time increase over the last decade or so is unnecessary and scandalous, and the government should be held accountable.
s1artibartfast 4y ago
My point was that the differences are more nuanced than presented. Most developed countries on the planet including the UK also have private insurance, which serves to give you different Healthcare options then what is covered by their socialized medicine systems. Anyone in the United States can walk into an emergency room and will not be denied treatment based on their lack of insurance. I'm not trying to argue that the US system is better, but point out that it is often compared to an idealized and imaginary European system that does not exist. Some people loudly Proclaim that citizens are entitled to any Healthcare they might need or want like in Europe. There is a lot more to it than that
robswc 4y ago
>anyone who is legally resident in the UK can walk into a hospital and get largely the same healthcare as anyone else This is true in the US too. Hospitals don't just refuse care unless they consider you "well enough" which unfortunately happens sometimes but its not per policy. Same thing in the UK though... I know a guy who's next door neighbor's dad died because he couldn't get an ambulance or basically any "urgent care." Didn't have a car and they refused to send an ambulance for some reason. They called the police to try to get them to help but they were too late. I don't know the details but he was fuming mad about it.

908B64B197 4y ago

> There are of course always methods for determining who gets care, but at least as far as the UK goes, anyone who is legally resident in the UK can walk into a hospital and get largely the same healthcare as anyone else. They are allowed the privilege of a multi-year waiting list for basic procedures (unless they happen to be high enough socially to rub elbows with doctors.)

dundarious 4y ago
The waiting lists time increase over the last decade or so is unnecessary and scandalous, and the government should be held accountable.

s1artibartfast 4y ago

My point was that the differences are more nuanced than presented. Most developed countries on the planet including the UK also have private insurance, which serves to give you different Healthcare options then what is covered by their socialized medicine systems. Anyone in the United States can walk into an emergency room and will not be denied treatment based on their lack of insurance. I'm not trying to argue that the US system is better, but point out that it is often compared to an idealized and imaginary European system that does not exist. Some people loudly Proclaim that citizens are entitled to any Healthcare they might need or want like in Europe. There is a lot more to it than that

robswc 4y ago

>anyone who is legally resident in the UK can walk into a hospital and get largely the same healthcare as anyone else This is true in the US too. Hospitals don't just refuse care unless they consider you "well enough" which unfortunately happens sometimes but its not per policy. Same thing in the UK though... I know a guy who's next door neighbor's dad died because he couldn't get an ambulance or basically any "urgent care." Didn't have a car and they refused to send an ambulance for some reason. They called the police to try to get them to help but they were too late. I don't know the details but he was fuming mad about it.