I just thought that you should know what life is like in a country with socialised medicine. I live in the UK. I have a bit of experience in Germany and I’m sure that others from different countries in Europe and Australia and wherever else can chip in. But as I read the heartbreaking stories on this site, I like, every resident of Europe am open-mouthed that this situation exists and that right-wingers (who, let's face it, are just as likely to get tumours as the rest of us) are able to hoodwink your fellow citizens into thinking that socialised medicine is a bad thing.
There is almost nobody in the entire continent of Europe who would agree. We know it’s good for the individual who can live free of one level of worry. It’s good for industry- which is not crippled by health care costs. It’s good for society, because we realise one of the functions of the state involves looking after one another. It's good Christianity. It's good Judaism, it's good Islam, and it's good sense. Above all it's being a good human being.
What happens in the UK? Take look below the fold.
You are registered at a local doctor or GP (General Practitioner). This is where you go for any normal issues. You pay nothing. If you need a prescription you get it from the local pharmacist and you pay £7.20.
If you have an accident you go to the local hospital accident and emergency department. That costs nothing too.
It works reciprocally too. So when I was in Germany and was taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack I got as far as the operating theatre when I was rediagnosed as having had Myocarditis and was kept in for observation, in intensive care for one night and then on a regular ward for a few days- that cost nothing too. I was given all kinds of tests. They cost nothing. I came back to the UK and was checked up be a cardiologist twice and was given a clean bill of health. That also cost nothing.
I've had a minor operation for gallstones. (Cost: nothing) I've also watched my parents go through the health system. My mother had lung cancer and was in hospital for a few weeks before dying at home- with regular visits from a doctor and a cancer nurse. Cost nothing .The nurse was supplied by a magnificent charity. (The Macmillan Cancer nurses.)
If you have an ongoing condition - that costs nothing, except for the prescriptions of course but you can buy a season ticket if you have multiple conditions. And if you are on income support your prescriptions are free.
All of this does not depend on your pre-exisiting conditions, your family genetic history, the statements you’ve filled out on your medical form, o how much money has already been spent on your health. It all costs nothing.
If you want to see what it's like look around the National Health Service website. There are lots of things that are wrong with it and that should be improved, but when I read the stories that you tell then I'm reminded how much is right. Tell your friends. And your enemies. There is another way.