British fear 'American-style' healthcare system

Los Angeles Times ^ | 6/12/11 | Henry Chu

[Nachum]

London - Two years ago, Britons were outraged when U.S. politicians like Sarah Palin, in the debate over healthcare reform, turned this country's National Health Service into a public whipping boy, denouncing it as "evil," "Orwellian" and generally the enemy of everything good and true. It's time for some payback. Britain is now embroiled in a healthcare argument of its own, prompted by a proposed shake-up of the NHS. And the phrase on everyone's lips is "American-style," which may not be as catchy as the "death panels" that Palin attributed to socialized medicine but which, over here, inspires

[RobbyS]

They don’t come prepared. Surely travel insurance can be had.

[clearcarbon]

The pure terror is understandable.

[TigersEye]

The British fear toothbrushes and refrigeration too.

[truthguy]

London - Two years ago, Britons were outraged when U.S. politicians like Sarah Palin

An interesting phrase, politicians like Sarah Palin. Notice how the rodent writer Henry Chu gets his licks in against Sarah Palin. I don't remember Palin attacking the British Health Care System in the 2008 campaign or any other time. Certainly we know they have a lousy system, that's a given. But does anyone know if she went after the Brits? I can't remember.

[truthguy]

Certainly rich Brits who come to the US when they want decent and available medical care don’t fear the US system. I think that if Brits do fear the US system, it’s because of the lies and garbage that’s been put out there by the BBC and the rest of the British Press. If you think the US Press is bad (yes, you would be right), you would be horrified at the British Press.

[newzjunkey]

Best I could find was an old article where it was said she called “such a system” “evil” and that was in reference to ObamaCare’s “death panels.”

[truthguy]

I'm not surprised. I've run across this creep Henry Chu’s articles before and this is typical of the type of writer he is. The guy is a total Ahole. And you wonder why the Los Angeles Times is doing so terribly. Guys like Henry Chu are a big part of the problem.

[ncalburt]

This LAT OBAMA lefty is a village idiot.

England has private hospitals and clinics .
The poor Brits pay TWICE , they get slammed by healthcare taxes and then either buy private insurance or pay cash at these places.
The private places are PACKED and BOOMING.
The same situation exists everywhere but poor Canada which has banned private hospitals /clinics and punishing those who go the states for private care.

[silverleaf]

the avergage Brit seems to think that if you get sick in the US, you go bankrupt and lose everything

better to die waiting for chemo with 2d rate drugs, than to lose the flat or the telly

[Mitch86]

Not quite TRUE no matter how many WORDS you CAPITALIZE. Some people ‘go private’ for some things, for example my mum wanted to see an ankle specialist so she paid a small £50 fee, and instead of waiting a couple of weeks for an appointment got one for a couple of days time.

However if someone was to have a serious operation, it would 9 times out of 10 be on the NHS, because that is where the best medical practitioners operate.

Not quite sure where you get the idea that the private clinics are PACKED and BOOMING.

[the scotsman]

And if Americans fear the British system, it is also because of lies and distortion put out by right wing media, TV and radio in the US. And I say that as a British Conservative.

I am all for criticism of the NHS, as it has its problems, but frankly much of what passes for analysis of it in the US is complete crap and hysterical nonsense.

[the scotsman]

Yeah, yeah, we all have bad teeth. Just as you are all redneck lardasses with low grade education. Isnt stereotyping fun.

And where this myth beloved in America that the Limeys, Scots and Irish dont refrigerate is beyond me. Made even more ironic by the fact that two Scotsman were crucial in the invention of the refrigerator (William Cullen and Dr John Gorrie).

Oh, and the first practical ice machine was invented by an Aussie.

[TigersEye]

I left out thin-skinned. ROTFL

[the scotsman]

So I am thin-skinned because I object to a ridiculous and offensive stereotype (do you tell black people they have thick lips and frizzy hair?.......no didnt think so, so you are a coward and a hypocrite, no?)?.

Are Americans thin-skinned when everyone here gets angry over perceived anti-american comments?. Or is that OK whereas complaining Canucks, Limeys and Euros are just thin skinned babies?.

You cant have it both ways.

[TigersEye]

Is that a spittle-flecked rant through your missing teeth? LOL

[Vanders9]

I think it would be better if countries made up their own mind on issues like health care, abortion, gun control and the role of Church and State, based on what they think is right and wrong, and not use the experiences of other nations as props for their arguments, both for and against.

[Vanders9]

I've never come across the stereotype of Brits not using refrigeration...do Americans really think that?

Mind you, it might be true in Scotland. It's so cold half of the year you can store the milk outside. :)

[the scotsman]

I think its more the stereotype of warm beer. Another one is that we British havent yet discovered central heating.

[TigersEye]

I wish the English would learn to speak English properly too. LOL