The
Bloody NHS.
 So
how would the public option work in America. Well, here's
a medical anecdote, cribbed from dailykos.com, that will
clearly give you an idea of what it's like.
=mike=
---------------
I am a middle aged, white male American
who lives in the UK working for a medium sized US company.
The following is a
true story about my many years experience of the NHS (National
Health Service) in the UK, only the names have been changed
to protect the identity of my family.
I live with my wife and son just outside of London. When
our son Leo was due to be born, like virtually every family
in the UK (rich or poor), we went to our local NHS hospital
for the delivery. An unpredictable chain of events resulted
in unforeseeable complications during his birth. Leo was
born in very poor health and was immediately transferred
to a SCBU (Special Care Birth Unit) in another hospital.
Because of the severity of Leo's condition we were transferred
to the most advanced SCBU in the region.Leo spent the next
three weeks in the SCBU being cared for 24/7 by highly trained
nursing staff using the latest technology and a team was
formed with about a dozen specialists from around the country
working together to ensure Leo's many complex problems were
dealt with using the best medical knowledge available. As
parents we stayed with Leo in the parents residence just
down the hall from the SCBU. Our room was basic, but it had
cable TV and we got clean bedding and towels as well as three
meals a day for three weeks. How much did all of this cost?
I will never know because as a UK resident and taxpayer it
was provided as a public service.
By the time Leo was three months old it was obvious he was
experiencing many very difficult problems. Leo was referred
to one of the top specialists in Europe, a professor consultant
in neonatal neurology. The professor determined Leo needed
a MRI scan, but because of Leo's small size and constant
abnormal movement, no existing scanner could safely be used.
It was decided the newest and fastest scanner in the country
would be modified to accommodate Leo's situation. When we
arrived for the scan we were greeted not only by the professor
and her team but by a team of technicians and scientists
from the manufacturer. The MRI magnets were partially dismantled
and recalibrated and a frame for Leo was built on the spot
so he could safely undergo the scanning procedure. How much
did all of this cost? I will never know because as a UK resident
and taxpayer it was provided as a public service.
The scan showed that Leo had received a profound brain injury
before birth. He had many different tests to determine the
extent of his disabilities including EEG, X-ray, video fluoroscopy,
endoscopy, sight tests, hearing tests, and others. Leo was
referred to eight different specialists to deal with his
problems and underwent surgery to implant a portal in his
stomach so he can be fed directly by tube, without danger
of food being "swallowed" into his lungs. Leo's
dietary requirements are very special and all food, as well
as the daily feeding kits and the pump needed to deliver
the feed are provided by the NHS. Leo is on about a dozen
different medications and all meds, syringes and other daily
disposable equipment are provided by the NHS. Leo has a wheelchair,
sitting frame, standing frame, sleep system, leg and hand
splints and other equipment, all designed for him and all
replaced or adjusted every few months because he is a growing
boy. All equipment as well as the technicians who maintain
the equipment are provided by the NHS. How much does all
of this cost? I will never know because as a UK resident
and taxpayer it was provided as a public service.
Is the NHS perfect? Far from it! Can it be more bureaucratic
and slower than I would like at times? Of course! Has there
ever been an issue about Leo not receiving care because he
is profoundly disabled? Never! Have we ever had to stand
before a "Death Panel" and justify the vast ongoing
expense of Leo's care, even though he will never be a productive
member of society? NO!
When surveys ask people what is the single thing they are
proudest about the UK, the winner is The National Health
Service.
=mike=
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