Good evening all – just back after a very pleasant lunch with my elderly parents.
I see that youngmafbog (15.07) has been contributing in a positive way.
There is a suggestion that my assertion that the US healthcare system is horrendous is 'unsubstantiated nonsense'. First, if that is a dig at me over my contributions to other threads here – I acknowledge that political debate is entirely different from scientific debate. Politics is, as someone once said, ‘the art of the possible’ Political persuasion is often about emotions, and persuasion rather than objective facts.
But the assertion was that the US healthcare system is horrendous – let me explain:
My sister has lived in the US for over 30 years. Her husband recently had a heart attack. We know from first hand experience just how expensive that is. Hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Second, I have many friends in the US. I have personally contributed hundreds of dollars to crowdfunding projects to enable them to buy medication or pay other medical bills, because they have a choice between feeding themselves or buying medication. When lack of medication will kill you, that is a tough choice. I choose to spend my money to help them out.
Third, one of my good friends in the US got cancer. He had been doing public work all his life, but did not have medical insurance. It was fortunate that he died after a relatively short illness, but still his wife, who also has cancer now has a huge medical bill to deal with, in addition to her other troubles. I contributed to his crowdfunding page as well.
Contrast that with my nephew in the UK. He found a lump on his testicle just before Christmas. It was quickly diagnosed as cancer. The part was removed within days and his recovery is now underway. At no charge.
I know which system I prefer to live in.
If you think that a medical system where people prefer to die than be diagnosed with cancer and leave their relatives with huge bills, or go begging on the internet is preferable to one where the NHS – with all its faults – can sort you out within a few days, then, my friend, I put it to you that you are in a small minority.