Chickpea
Good "speaking" with you as always. Look forward to seeing you in sowal.
Although you may have had good experiences in England, I am not sure we never discussed your use of the system there, so I am assuming you have used itbut it is my understanding there is a two tier system there where additional insurance can be purchased.
However, only 10% of the population has the financial ability to purchase it.
Also, there are limits that higher income folks are charged for the same health care that lower income folks pay, so 40 something % of a much higher income with a cap is significant.
Here is a good article from about how the NHS
(National Healthcare System) in England works. It's a bit long, but easy to peruse and scan quickly for pertinent data. It discusses rationing, long wait times to see specialists and GP's. The GP's feelings about the plan etc.
Hi Mango,
I am going to read the link you attached but have not had time to read it yet although I wanted to try answer your questions to the best of my abillities (I am far from a specialist here but I can talk about mine and my family's experiences (and yes, great chatting with you - pls let me know when you get here in Oct!)
I was born in England and spent the first 3 years of my life there (but then returned every year till I was 14 for 2 operations I needed as well as needing yearly check-ups so we all became quite intimate with it). We were well covered and although we lived abroad for the next 12 years or so we had supplemental insurance from the UK that covered us in our travels and day to day life in other countries. I cannot talk about the 10% that can afford additional insurance BUT I can tell you that I have many friends who live there or have lived for extended periods of time in the UK and have always come back amazed at the quality of the care received. It is my memory also. I have also heard some stories about less than qualified and desirable service in some doctors' offices but it has been overwhelmingly positive.
However, I am much more familiar with France's system as I lived there for about 6-7 years, go back yearly and I still consider France home. And here again, we were completely average in terms of access of good doctors and health care. For the first 2-4 years we had no extra insurance and when we got ill, a doctor would come to our house to check us out and fill out prescriptions (and every arrondissment or quarter in France has several pharmacies that are open 24/7 so one can always get a presciption filled) OR, if we were feeling Ok we would go to offices for incredibly humane, professional and one-on-one appointments with doctors, in their plush offices, in a comfortable office like setting with leather chairs and these appts are treated like any other office visit - you have the undivided attention of your doctor (average length of time is 30 mins) - it is incredible the rapport one develops. And, granted, we paid very very little for these services.
With respect to the higher tax bracket, do not forget that this slightly more than 40% covers much much more than just medical expenses. And yes, if one is rich and privileged in France (and estate tax is purely insane!), one will try find a way of having another residence to avoid these exhorbitant taxes. BUT, if one is an average Joe, working to pay bills, raise a family and give their kids access to a good education, decent health care, etc.. it is amazingly helpful and accessible.
Not sure if I am being clear and to be perfectly frank I am biased towards universal health care - but it really is with the fact that I try keep 2 things in mind:
1) I do believe to the core of my being that EVERYONE should be able to get good care when they need it - and the fact that other countries, much poorer than the US, are able to afford this makes me wonder why we cannot (but of course we have billions to spend a week on a needless war!)
2) People should not see their hard life earnings completely evaporate because they have had misfortune of falling sick and needing expensive care.
OK - I now need a glass of wine - the same glass or 2 that is supposed to keep me healthy!
