The British ask: Why are Americans against 'free' health care. Isn't the NHS a good thing, and free for all at point of demand or delivery?
Answers
UK/British Health care became an issue in WWI and WWII when it was discovered that only about one person in four was fit enough to be a foot soldier. Another factor was that those who could not afford health care or did not care when they were young and healthy got ill and infected everybody else so you got epidemics. Bringing in free vaccinations and preventive measures as well as universal health care benefitted everybody. In the same way as making car insurance compulsory protects others on the road. Even those who could afford it won't pay unless compelled to do so.
Stories
In the USA I went to a dentist. I was surprised at the low cost of the health care. But the dentist only looked at the one tooth which I thought was the problem.
In the UK a dentist checks your entire mouth, including the teeth alongside, the one biting against the one which has the problem.
Tips
Check your health care before travelling. If you travel frequently, it may be cheaper to take out an annual policy. Check any exclusion clauses. This is important especially if you are likely to go skiing or snowboarding on a winter or Easter time holiday. When you travel down under to Australia the seasons are reversed. (And vice versa, if you are based in Australia and travelling up to Europe or North America.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. See my books on Amazon and lulu.com
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