Keith Said:

Free national health insurance: Can doctors still be in private practice, outside the government system?

We Answered:

I don't know about England or etc. but in Canada it is mandatory that all doctors work for the state. In fact it is a crime to have private health insurance or see a doctor outside the system. Currently the single largest group of criminals is the health care professionals. They know the true condition of a system that has an average wait of 16 to 18 weeks to see a specialist and maybe years of waiting for surgery.

People in Canada with money routinely come to the US for heath care. That is anything beyond 2 aspirins. A friend in Seattle tells me you can't hope to see a doctor on Monday mornings unless you are willing to get in line behind a large group of Canadians.

When I look at my family (extended) I believe that every one of them over 60 would be dead if we lived in Canada. My Mother-in-Law received open heart surgery in the US in less than 36 hours after seeing her primary physician. Mom would have died waiting to see a specialist in Canada. When she saw her primary her life expectancy was literally being measured in hours.

I'm not yet 60 myself, just getting close, but I was diagnosed with diabetes a number of years ago. Under socialized medicine I would probably be dead too as I have developed a couple of infections that were potentially lethal and a wait to see a specialist would have probably seen the specialist coming to the funeral to check me out.

I'm not a supporter of Socialized Medicine but I will bet the farm we are going to get it and if you are anywhere near 60 or if you have a serious illness I suggest you get your estate in order because the system will kill millions of older people. BTW, those are the same people who have worked their with the plan of taking care of themselsves. Now that idea is null and void and they will be expected to take care of 12 million illegals and those who won't care for themselves.

EDIT: Did you know that Cuba has this system and when Castro got sick they brought in a Doctor from Spain. That should tell everyone something.

Sean Said:

How is National Health Insurance differant than MediCaid?

We Answered:

It's basically Medicaid for EVERYONE. Depending on who you talk to, it may or may not include coverage for 22,000,000 illegals here in the USA.

What most people don't REALIZE about National Health Care, is how it's implemented in the countries that use it: There are long lines (read waiting times) for free services; Services are heavily rationed (no joint replacement surgeries for the elderly! or chemo either!); and people who CAN afford private coverage, buy it - and private doctors - leading to two very different classes of service - everything you want, on a timely basis for the very, very rich, and pretty lousy service with waits up to three years, for everyone else.

But people don't bother trying to figure out how it works. They assume that they'll get the same level of timely care, off of government coverage as they do now - with none of the cost.

It's mindbogglingly ignorant.

Joy Said:

Do I have to make a National Health Insurance card?

We Answered:

Yes, you should take one. It gives you access to their health system as the UK has a reciprocal agreement with them.

It doesn't cover everything (so you should still have travel insurance) but it will give you emergency treatment.

You can get one here - https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

Maxine Said:

Does anyone know when the new payroll tax for national health insurance, estimated at 7 percent - will start?

We Answered:

Social Security and Medicare are 7.65%, so this is really going to hurt bad!!!! Hope the dems still love their messiah when they see that first pay stub. Also, you will lose the bush tax cuts at the same time.

Mario Said:

how is health care financed in a national health insurance system?

We Answered:

Depends on the system. But it's ALL tax based. I'd bet B is the answer your looking for - but think, about half the people who are uninsured in the US, aren't citizens, or aren't even here legally.