[bullseyebarb]

Originally Posted by claytonender

Can you explain why there are so many citizens of the US that have difficulty accessing the health service in the US because they can not afford to pay for medical insurance. It has been mentioned earlier in this thread that the NHS (despite it not being perfect) is accessible to all the UK citizens irrespective of their ability to pay for the service. My husband has a medical condition for which their is no cure -if it was untreated it would be life threatening, but he receives an excellent service from the NHS. I am certain if he had to purchase medical insurance the costs would be prohibitive and he would likely not be able to receive the medical treatment and prescription drugs he needs to take every day to control the condition, because we could not afford the fees. He has been working (and paying tax) since he was 15 so he is helping to pay for his treatment.

I am very happy that the NHS is free at the point of delivery and paid for by our taxes.

Maybe you are forgetting the all basis of our Welfare State is - from each according to his means to each according to his needs.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Karl Marx 1875.

Just because one does not have medical insurance does not mean lack of access to health services in the U.S. There are many options. No hospital refuses care simply because a person lacks means. There are also low cost and free clinics all over the place, (unless you happen to live out in the middle of nowhere, of course.) The largest free clinic in the U.S. is in my own community and is supported by private donations....and to some tune, I might add. Beautiful facility. Doctors and dentists volunteer time each month and we have a great many of them so there are always medical professionals on hand each day. Equipment and drugs are likewise donated.

If you are happy with the care that your husband is receiving under the NHS then that is all that matters. My own family was not so fortunate. I don't believe it is a good idea to rely on the state for something as important as this.