Am I being AIBU to ask how many of you have looked into medical insurance and hospital plans? And are you 100% you can afford it?

[MaggieLightBlue]

Only asking as we have more than one, non self-inflicted condition in our family unit and I from what I have researched, this may be a hindrance to us getting Medicare or getting affordable Medicare, when the NHS finally collapses.

Concerned citizen

If the Tories were so set on destroying the NHS, why have they increased funding in real terms since 2010?

www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/nhs-budget

with a growing population you need more funding to continue to provide the same level of care. As the population ages you need even more spending to provide the same standard of care. I'm afraid that article is an example of how to lie with statistics. The Tories are well aware that they are not providing funds to maintain current standards of care.

Other countries spend more on health care and are increasing their health care expenditure. Try reading this www.kingsfund.org.uk/blog/2016/01/how-does-nhs-spending-compare-health-spending-internationally

Ah yes, the Kings Fund. CEO is Chris Ham, who tweeted this earlier.

Now, what were you saying?

YY alreadytaken. You only have to put gallstones in the MN search engine to see how many MNers are waiting around in excrutiating pain for gall bladder removal.

As all political parties support the NHS there is no need for any concern at all.

This is the stupidest comment on this thread, by some way. And that is really saying something.

It is going to get worse - "Health service spending is to fall per head, even though the population is getting older, the chief executive of the health service has warned.

Officials said it is unclear whether a per capita cut to the health budget has ever happened before in the NHS' entire 68-year history."

Vote Tory and you are voting for cuts in the level of care provided for the health service. Tories have no care for those who can not fund themselves and once this government has an increased majority the cuts will be deeper.

It would be preferable if the NHS fully covered the cost of healthcare for children until they leave full time study, the elderly, those with chronic conditions and everyone below a certain income threshold.

Everyone else should pay a portion of the cost at point of service. Buying insurance to cover that cost should attract a tax rebate.

Reduce the burden on the state and a better provision of healthcare for all!

I reckon that within a few years the only service provided directly by the NHS will be emergency care and everything else will be provided by private contractors. One reason the NHS is struggling is because the funding is so low, relative to GDP, compared to other G20 countries (the other is the ageing population).

Splitting everything up into small contracts doesn't do patients any favours, because if you need to be referred for something that is carried out under another contract, the wait starts all over again. Before, Dr A would have a chat with Dr B and you'd get an appointment with Dr B really quickly.

The cost of private medicine is gobsmacking. My friend had to have part of a lung removed a few years ago. She had med insurance through her job, but the hospital sent her a copy of the bill: it was nearly £80k. Admittedly, that included 3-4 nights in the London Bridge Hospital, but the anaesthetist's fee was £11k. No bad for 3 hours work!

Anyone who'd like an insight into the problems caused by the US system should read Lionel Shriver's "So Much For That". Actually, read it anyway, it's a great book.

Everyone else should pay a portion of the cost at point of service. Buying insurance to cover that cost should attract a tax rebate.

How would you deal with pre-existing conditions? Insurance won't cover those.

They'd better not introduce such a measure before I've had my hips and knees replaced!

before anyone else says it - there are systems other than the US - but they ALL cost more money and very few deliver care efficiently. In this country we had one of the most efficient health care services in the world, it was the envy of the world and people are voting that away.

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not sure it was the envy of the world already - if other rich countries had envied it they could have introduced it! They didn't, so we must assume they didn't want to.

Ah yes, the Kings Fund. CEO is Chris Ham, who tweeted this earlier.

I don't necessarily disagree... I'm not a Tory propagandist - I'm a floating voter. I'm just sick of the hyperbole that makes Tories out to be evil fiends who will cackle with delight as the NHS is destroyed.

The Belgian system, or in Flanders at least, is very efficient, and works very well. Had to go and see a doc in one hospital last week, next appointment for July made there and then. It will be the same with the Haematologists today.

scary as a matter of interest, do your Belgian friends wish they had the NHS, or are they (within reason) happy with the system they have?

Is a 'family unit' the same as a 'family'?

DH has a problem which means premiums are higher but it's covered by the insurance and the premiums for the family are paid by his employer.

HTH

kirinm

How do those who rubbish the possibility of needing health insurance (and it's extortionate price if you have a pre-existing condition) feel about Virgin Care running hospitals given that they certainly don't do it out of the goodness of their hearts? They are far from a 'not for profit' organisation.

Legislation to cap profits for such an operator are easily and commonly implemented. I also believe that privatisation results in efficiencies in operation, as well as competition giving consumers best value for money.

The NHS isn't going to disappear anyway.

Legislation to cap profits for such an operator are easily and commonly implemented.

Have they been? Have Virgin's profits been capped?

Are they making excessive profits? Do they need to be capped? Are they providing a great service?

Belgium spends a lot more on it's health service. If we spent that amount you'd be getting better care. www.kingsfund.org.uk/blog/2016/01/how-does-nhs-spending-compare-health-spending-internationally

As for the question of why other countries didnt adopt an NHS - not the political will to do so. Ask yourself where politicians get their funds.

"As for the question of why other countries didnt adopt an NHS - not the political will to do so. "

Agree - but that suggests that there wasn't a massive demand for it from their electorates. Not saying NHS is better/worse - just that I don't think it was the envy of the world! Overseas mners - does any political party in Europe/Australia campaign for an NHS to replace their current system - would be interesting to know?

electorates dont usually vote on just one issue but ask yourself where opposition parties get their funds too.

America has tried to change it's health care system and look at how that has gone.

Possible changes to Australian system being considered www.mamamia.com.au/australian-healthcare-changes-2016/

Yes the US does demonstrate the difficulties changes encounter I agree.

I don't know where other European opposition parties get their funding - any other takers on mn for that question?

I think some of the responses on this thread prove we are collectively afraid to even talk about this.
I think this is a pretty poor state of affairs.
I agree with other posters, though, that AIBU during election time probably isn't the best place to discuss this.
I'm a heavy user of the NHS and don't have much money either. But that doesn't mean I bow down and worship it as a concept like many seem to do.
Surely we can ask the question- are we still doing it right? Are they alternatives that we should talk about?

when funding is going to be cut under this government so that levels of care will fall where do you suggest it is discussed? If you vote for the Tories you are voting for a continuing decline in the NHS. Of course the government will tell you its inefficient and the like. They won't offer you any proof because it doesnt exist but if they say it often enough people accept it.

This is not bowing down and worshipping the NHS - it is valuing what we have and not wanting to see it destroyed. It is also warning you to start to plan for the extra payments you will have to make.

Take a look at what other countries spend on health care systems www.kingsfund.org.uk/blog/2016/01/how-does-nhs-spending-compare-health-spending-internationally

There are international comparisons of quality too - here is one of them www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2014/jun/mirror-mirror

Quite possible to find others if you wish to be well informed and not just accept what you are told by politicians.

I don't accept what I am told by politicians. But if you don't want to talk about it for fear of recognising some real funding problems, that's up to you