has anyone covered the NHS republican slander free healthcare for americans thing today?

[Tortington]

i cant find an existing thread is there one.

i been listenng to radio on the train - talk shows need to comment

Sorry, no time to read the whole thread as I should be packing/shopping for a camping trip and some housework. I really want to defending/stand up for our country on this matter. I'm appalled how the republicans have used some British people in their ad campaign, as I read in The Times today. What can I do? Suggestions pls, that don't take up a lot of time

Careful now, Leonie. You made a statement that it typical for Amercans to know that England is not the only country in the UK. And I fell it is appropriate for me to establish a defense on their behalf. I really don't think that is typical.

Generally speaking, I think Americans should get out and see the rest of the world a bit more. So, I take your point in more general terms.

at athene I did notice that but refrained from comment.

I don't think it's really fair to compare the whole of the NHS against the whole of the American system. Each has it's flaws. They are not the same flaws.

I think if we picked apart the aspects of the American system which are unacceptable would be a lot of common ground here.

I also think we could identify common ground on where the NHS could improve. For example, why can I not choose my GP / hospital on the NHS? Why can I not call the doctor on Monday for an appointment on Wednesday? Why when my daughter is referred for one scan, do I also get an appoint for a scan she has already had but the hospital can find no record of?

When someone enters America illegally from anouther country you can call them "Aliens" if you wish.
And when people are dragged from their home country against their will and forced to work like chattel to create the wealth of your country you can dehumanise them too and call them "Slave".

This thread makes me feel sick.

Excellent article "Evil and Orwellian - the American Right Turns it's Fire on NHS".

Retired Americans have been targeted by an email campaign misinforming them (amongst other lies) that the NHS refuses to treat anyone over the age of 59 with heart disease.

And American Senator Chuck Grassely stated that Ted Kennedy would have been refused treatment for his brain tumour if he lived in the UK because he is 77.

If only the right-wing press in the UK would flex their collective patriotic muscles to defend our country against these disgraceful and slanderous lies instead of whining about asylum seekers.

Yes, Leonie. I have.

the nhs could be better - but its bloody brilliant

IME - i can't choose my gp - i had one - i moved they told me i couldn't remain there - i thought i could - but they were completely right

also there is a finance issue - remember the stories about the breast cancer drug that some areas wouldn't pay for

lottery on whee you live stories - remember

yep - its not all shoney with knobs on - but jeez louise - its pretty god damned brilliant.

Yes, Riven, and you can also, to an extent, choose your hospital. I was told I could choose any Glasgow hospital in which to have my children, including Paisley.

This is something I just don't understand. I can kind of see where the gun lobby is coming from sometimes, I kind of get the flag-waving patriotism, and I can understand why some Americans aren't too bothered with learning about other countries, but this, I do not get. I have relatives who live in Georgia (the blood relatives moved from California) and my cousin-in-law, a nurse, is against universal healthcare. This is incomprehensible to me. How can you defend a system which would let people suffer so much, because they don't have insurance? I just don't get it, and I have yet to see anything to convince me of the Republicans position on this. The NHS is far from perfect, but come on.

Message withdrawn

Riven, sadly some Americans do believe this. I left an American parenting forum several years ago because I naively wandered into a debate about healthcare insurance and made the mistake of simply describing:

all the medical treatment I had received or had access to during pregnancy and after giving birth (scans, blood tests, parenting classes, midwife and consultant checks, 7 days in hospital because DS had jaundice and wouldn't BF, breastfeeding counsellors;

follow up support (midwife check-up for 10 days after birth, immediate access for DS to paediatrician at hospital for 2 months after birth, weekly baby clinic, BF support group at hospital, mum and baby group, PND support);

free prescriptions and dental treatment during pregnancy and for 1st year after birth. Free prescriptions for DS until age 16.

(I'm sure I've missed loads of things off the list here, but you get the gist.)

I them that this was all free in the UK. The American forum members were mostly surprised and shocked and a sizeable minority just refused to believe me. I was accused of having a political agenda for joining the forum. "European Commie propaganda" was one of the politer terms used.

Fortunately other UK members confirmed everything I'd written. It all caused a lot of bad feeling and I stopped posting there.

"my cousin-in-law, a nurse, is against universal healthcare. This is incomprehensible to me. How can you defend a system which would let people suffer so much, because they don't have insurance? "

Probably because she thinks it will destroy and not enhance the care she can give to her patients.

The AMA is also opposed to Obama's plan. So, this is not just about right wing opposition. I think most people are for reform. Just not THIS reform.

The UK is one of the richest nations in the world, and in comparison to similar economies, the standard of care is low.

Quoted bloss but not replying to you necessarily -

I may be lucky but no one i've known who has needed NHS healthcare has received bad service. I've had my wisdom teeth removed, my sister had cancer removed, my dad had a stroke my OH's grandparents have continuing care needs and all needs have been met so well! Yes there is a wait sometimes but we cannot expect perfection especially for the amount we pay and if you want more then pay for it and go private......

'why will they accept free schooling though? Thats pinko commie too.....'

Not if you programme your little units from a tender age to be right-thinking.
No p1nko-commie stuff allowed. Book burning on the tennis courts every third Tuesday.