Ridiculous facebook status updates about the NHS.

My facebook status lastnight = "going to register for the NHS tomorrow...poor me for being forced to use free healthcare"  (hee hee...I told you guys I was never snarky!)

I really hate NHS bashers, and I am always defending the NHS to family and friends, however I have to say (I can't let you get away with it) the NHS isn't actually free, I pay a nice chunk of my salary towards it every month, so free it isn't.

Most of DW's family are Republicans and I'm just trying to formulate my arguments for when we go over for Thanksgiving, not that I'm determined to get into an argument but that I know, at some point, something will come up in conversation about healthcare.
The one I hear most often is the argument that they don't want a government bureacrat making decisions on their healthcare, they want their doctor to make that decision.
I've pointed out to a number of people that at the moment they have an insurance company bureacrat making that decision and not their doctor.
I say that if 2 people in the UK, with the same illness visit the same doctor, then if the doctor deems a certain treatment to be required then they'll both get it. The same cannot be said in the US because the doctor might prescribe a treatment but one of their insurance companies could reject it.

I hear DW on the phone to her dad and sister quite often saying - don't believe what Fox are saying about socialised medicine, it's really very good over here.

It feels genuinely weird to be standing up for the NHS as well. I used to be an NHS hater back when I lived in England the first time about 5-6 years back, because of a really bad birth experience. But then I moved back here, and have had a few years of mega lightbulb moments, and the NHS is now one of the big reasons we're probably moving back this summer. I never really needed major care in the US before I went to the UK, so being in the UK was my first real experience with a real medical issue... and I blamed the NHS for a lot of things that really just needed to be blamed on Life Sucking Sometimes. Now I've been back here and seen my mother die from cancer, go through several miscarriages, another birth, several surgeries..... and now that I've been fully entrenched in the US process of care, and the subsequent process of Paying For It...  (I currently am spending $400 a month on medical bills)... well.... I guess it just means that my perspective has changed. And I'll be thankful, if in fact we are moving back, to be back in the NHS. And will continue to stand up for it on facebook.

Ayoubob, yeah, being a democrat DOES make me unreasonable to my family. I'm definitely not an argumentative person, not in an actual "grr! argue!" kind of way, but will always, always make my opinion known. A soft-spoken loud mouth perhaps?

Facebook status updates are a weird thermometer for me, with a large group of midwestern, white, republican group of old acquaintances, family & friends... there is a real sense of genuine *FEAR* about health care reform. I always chime in a little bit, who knows. Maybe it helps.

Yep I know the reaction I will get but I still have the little nudges at them. I've quit having 'digs' for their illogical (to me) rationalisations and focus more on relating postive experiences, ie Went to hospital/GP today, forgot my wallet at home..oh silly me I didn't need it or Damn I had to fork out a whole £38 at the pharamcy today. For a WHOLE year supply of medice!! That sort of thing.

Slowly chipping away at Lemmings.

I really hate NHS bashers, and I am always defending the NHS to family and friends, however I have to say (I can't let you get away with it) the NHS isn't actually free, I pay a nice chunk of my salary towards it every month, so free it isn't.

Seeings how I don't work (and obviously don't pay taxes out of my wages), it is free for me...
And not to start an argument, but I think it's a widely-known and accepted fact that when people say NHS is "free" they are referring to the fact that they do not have to pay for services rendered.

I've pointed out to a number of people that at the moment they have an insurance company bureacrat making that decision and not their doctor.

I've pointed this out several times to some people.  Especially when people talk about being able to choose the treatments they receive.  I'm like "You really think that your insurance company allows YOU to make the decisions?". 

Marlespo - I think you make a good point and it's something I've used several times when defending the NHS.  Most Americans (with insurance) think their health care is fine until they get cancer...or until they have a terminally ill child...or until some other unfortunate medical mishap lands in their lap (my brother is a perfect example of this until his daughter was born 3 months premature).  Sure, American health care is great if you are perfectly healthy all the time!

Seeings how I don't work (and obviously don't pay taxes out of my wages), it is free for me...
And not to start an argument, but I think it's a widely-known and accepted fact that when people say NHS is "free" they are referring to the fact that they do not have to pay for services rendered.

In the same vein, but someone has to work to pay for it, so outside of "point of sale" it isn't "really" free....

True it isn't free. I was certainly using free in the sense that we don't see any hefty bills at the end of the month. I'm free of ensuring paperwork is uptodate, I'm free of gazillions of form filling. Just so much easier. And fairer.

Perhaps we, proponents of the NHS, should just say we pay a helluva lot less and it's there regardless of my situation and always will be.

(my brother is a perfect example of this until his daughter was born 3 months premature).  Sure, American health care is great if you are perfectly healthy all the time!

Oh yes. My Henry is 2.5 years old now and I'm still paying the medical bills from his emergency premature birth and the resulting weeks in the hospital. And we've got *good* insurance. :/

In the same vein, but someone has to work to pay for it, so outside of "point of sale" it isn't "really" free....

True it isn't free.

Maybe I'm having a blonde moment but if a person is not paying taxes, I fail to see how it is not free for that person.  My hubby pays taxes (which indirectly means he - along with other tax payers - are paying for my free healthcare), but I don't.  So it is free, for me.  This is one of the main arguments I have heard *against* nationalized healthcare...that you have to pay (in taxes) for other people (who aren't working and don't pay taxes) to receive free care.  Seems like Americans have such a problem with helping others out but the Brits (in general) don't really seem to mind.

In the same vein, but someone has to work to pay for it, so outside of "point of sale" it isn't "really" free....

Right. It's not free. I love the NHS and is one of the many many many reasons I'll never live in the US, but it's not free.

Which is why I never use this argument with the anti-NHS nutjobs:

In the UK, if the waiting list is too long, then you can opt to pay for private treatment. In the US, you have to pay no matter what.

... because, in essense, that would mean you're paying twice for your healthcare.

I have some irrational, unreasonable, rabid right-wingers on my Facebook friends list, too, and I've blocked several of them. I think I've only defriended one person, but blocking people has made me a much happier person! 

Maybe I'm having a blonde moment but if a person is not paying taxes, I fail to see how it is not free for that person.  My hubby pays taxes (which indirectly means he - along with other tax payers - are paying for my free healthcare), but I don't.  So it is free, for me.  This is one of the main arguments I have heard *against* nationalized healthcare...that you have to pay (in taxes) for other people (who aren't working and don't pay taxes) to receive free care.  Seems like Americans have such a problem with helping others out but the Brits (in general) don't really seem to mind.

You scrounger! 

Which is why I never use this argument with the anti-NHS nutjobs:

... because, in essense, that would mean you're paying twice for your healthcare.

Very good point!

and in my case at my last job, I got the privilege of being taxed on a benefit that I did not particular want and have never used and most likely never use.

I got the privilege of being taxed on a benefit that I did not particular want and have never used and most likely never use.

Hmmm...this reminds me of social security...something I would never see even if I stayed in the US...dislike!  dislike!  Funny story, I got my annual "this is how much social security you will get" letter the exact same day I left the US.  Nice.

I don't think most people realize how the system works.  Most people complain that it takes months to get anything done in Britain or other countries where there is socialized health care.  That's certainly not the case with my parents-in-law.  Both of them have had major operations without much of a wait whatsoever.  However, here in the States, it took over a year and several doctor visits for insurance to approve my child's ear surgery and adenoidectomy.  When he finally got it done, the surgeon asked me why we waited so long!?!

Also, my grandfather lived in Canada towards the end of his life.  He wasn't even a citizen, and didn't pay a penny for care.  They took care of him before he returned to Oklahoma and was placed in a VA hospital. 

I paid $1,500 for my son's surgery plus 20% after the deductibles and co-pays-- on top of paying $1,000 month premium= over $14,000 just for the cost out-of-pocket in one year, not to mention all the co-pays for my other family members health care that year plus medications! My parents are retired and pay $900/ month out of pocket for their insurance plus $1,500 per person deductibles plus steep co-pays.  This is insanity!

However, I do think America has a long way to go and must reform other things before we dip our feet into health care reform.  I just can't understand people turning out to protest health care and turn around and criticize anyone who protests against war and bail outs.  Free speech for some but not for others, perhaps?  The skewed thinking is giving me a headache!  What also is giving me a headache is why my husband and I are still here and not there!

and in my case at my last job, I got the privilege of being taxed on a benefit that I did not particular want and have never used and most likely never use.

I assume you are talking about a private health benefit? You should be able to opt-out if you wish. I did in one job I had in the 1980's as I was against the principle of private health insurance.
Now in my current job I have it, although somehow the company get around this by paying an additional amount equivalent to the tax you pay on it so I effecyively don't pay tax on the benefit.....although I do pay tax on that payment if you see what I mean! (e.g. the tax for the private healthcare is £20 and my company pay me an additional £20 so I just pay tax on £20!) - I'm surprised that's even legal!

I assume you are talking about a private health benefit? You should be able to opt-out if you wish. I did in one job I had in the 1980's as I was against the principle of private health insurance.
Now in my current job I have it, although somehow the company get around this by paying an additional amount equivalent to the tax you pay on it so I effecyively don't pay tax on the benefit.....although I do pay tax on that payment if you see what I mean! (e.g. the tax for the private healthcare is £20 and my company pay me an additional £20 so I just pay tax on £20!) - I'm surprised that's even legal!

Ah I think I see what you mean. Yours sounds a bit more free than mine.
Don't think I would have gained much by opting out. Maybe a few pounds.

On the payslips under payments there was some £43 and in the deductions there was the exact same amont so I assummed because the benefit was free, the tax man wanted his cut, hence the in/out nature of the money.