My recent experience of the UK National Health Service (long post)

[MothBalls]

I agree with you CaptainHaplo. I don't think responsible people should foot the bill for the irresponsible. As a small business owner I pay more than my fair share of taxes and insurance already.

Right now they are targeting me to pay more to cover people too lazy to work. My unemployment insurance premiums are about to go up AGAIN because they want to extend unemployment payments again. Many of these deadbeats don't look for work because they are getting paid not to. You want to cure unemployment? Quit paying people to not work.

The same thing is going to happen with health care. I'm going to end up footing the bill for those who refuse to buy coverage (just like I do now via higher premiums and taxes). That is 100% wrong. I have zero sympathy for those who aren't responsible enough to maintain their own insurance.

I do think we need health care reforms and some stricter regulations on the insurance industry. Tort reform would be a good place to start. As for the public option, it should be 100% self sufficient. We all know that's a fantasy that will never happen, and dollars to donuts, I'll be the one getting the bill.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by MothBalls

Tort reform would be a good place to start.

Tort reform has already happened in TX and CA and has done little to nothing to stem the rising costs of health care.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Tort reform has already happened in TX and CA and has done little to nothing to stem the rising costs of health care.

Tort reform is only one part of the larger picture of problems. Even if it has done very little it still has done something. A bunch of 'little something' add up to a lot of somethings.

[AVGWarhawk]

As for professional freeloaders, well the freeloader is a risk you take with national health care and benefit systems, however I think you will find they make up a small number of claimants.

Still a number we have to pay for. Unfortunate that will be status quo.

I also have to disagree with statements about why you shouldn't have to pay for people who make no contribution.

What about someone who was in gainful employment (the majority of the population) who due to the recent crisis has lost their job. So for the time they are out of work they don't make contributions. If they are like most people they will be looking for work and eventually find work, thus they start making contributions again.

If you paid in and loose a job should not automatically make you loose coverage. Even here in the states you can get Cobra Insurance if you loose your job. You are not left in the cold.

You see that is why we pay taxes and National Insurance over here in hte UK. I know that I have paid my way so if things go to rat**** I have contributed along with the majority of people to the safety net that is there if I should need it. Therefore I do not begrudge paying my taxes. True they need to crack down on freeloaders and in the UK they are starting to.

Safety net here is Cobra Insurance. Also your savings. It is recommended you save at least 3 months of salary in case something happens. That seems smart to me. I lost my job and was jobless for 3 months. I lived on my savings. I did not apply for unemployment that I was entitled to. Just they way I am.

I do agree however you can make money out of being sick, but there are ways to crackdown. They are starting that here, and yes it is unpopular, but only amongst those who know they will be busted.

People work the system for financial gain. Happens all the time. It is called fraud. Need more following up on claims that are false.

However on balance I am glad we have an NHS. BTW I don't see what being a Christian really has to do with it all.

I do not see this as a Christian dealing at all. Not sure how that got in the mix.