Should we really call it &#x27;free&#x27; healthcare?

BillV3

Before I start I realise that the NHS do a great job, and our prices are so much lower for treatments than somewhere like the US, don't get me wrong I appreciate the service.

Now that being said I'll still get flamed but hey.

My problem is with us calling it 'free' healthcare, when that really only applies to the minority of people in the country when you think about it. I realise that the prices are lower here thanks to the NHS but should we really be calling it 'free' when let's face it, it isn't. Surely cheap healthcare would be a better name.

Yes I'm pedantic, deal with it.

It is free :confused:

The only thing you have to pay for is medicine which is heavily subsidised

Reply 2

Yellowmonkeyman

10

loki276

It is free :confused:

The only thing you have to pay for is medicine which is heavily subsidised

Taxes!!!!!

Reply 3

AzureMews

Yellowmonkeyman

Taxes!!!!!

But it's better that than forking out all that money at once..
Sure we're still having to pay for it, but everyone is paying for everyone so it's far cheaper.

Reply 4

BillV3

OP

loki276

It is free :confused:

The only thing you have to pay for is medicine which is heavily subsidised

Read that back sound right? As I said I really appreciate the subsidisation and how cheap it is but don't think it should be called free when it isn't 100% free.

Reply 5

blinkbelle

17

It's easier than being pedantically correct - and calling it 'subsidised but contributed to by national insurance payments healthcare'

Reply 6

username350927

BillV3

Read that back sound right? As I said I really appreciate the subsidisation and how cheap it is but don't think it should be called free when it isn't 100% free.

The healthcare is only said to free at the point of use i.e when going to GP etc

Reply 7

Muffinz

16

It's free at the point of delivery.

Reply 8

AzureMews

But it's better that than forking out all that money at once..
Sure we're still having to pay for it, but everyone is paying for everyone so it's far cheaper.

Not true.

Just think about it. Who spends money most efficiently? Only you can, with your own money. If I gave you someone else's money, you don't have the same incentive to get the best deal and therefore the best value. Therefore, the net effect is everything becomes more expensive.

Reply 9

Muffinz

It's free at the point of delivery.

"point of delivery" :confused:

It's not free at all.

Reply 10

Yellowmonkeyman

10

AzureMews

But it's better that than forking out all that money at once..
Sure we're still having to pay for it, but everyone is paying for everyone so it's far cheaper.

Absolutely, I agree. Was just saying that it isn't really free :smile:

.

Reply 11

AzureMews

Yellowmonkeyman

Absolutely, I agree. Was just saying that it isn't really free :smile:

.

When I clicked on this quote I thought it was going to be someone attacking me :lol:

Reply 12

Yellowmonkeyman

Absolutely, I agree. Was just saying that it isn't really free :smile:

.

There are two problems here:

1) It's expensive. But it is only expensive because government has a monopoly on medicine.

2) You, presumably, have no problem with expecting other people in society to put their hands in their pockets and fund your visit to the doctor? I think this position lacks self-respect and dignity.

Reply 13

inksplodge

17

It is cheap healthcare. There are some people in the country who have never had to use the healthcare system before (minus when they were born, perhaps) and they're still paying tax for it, which I think it wrong... :dontknow:

You still have to pay for medicine.

I am glad we have it though. Thanks to the NHS I am able to get a hearing aid "free of charge" (though not really, since I'm still paying tax etc) and for one as powerful as I need it would be a lot of money.

Reply 14

Militantbuthopeful

11

We don't do we? I thought we just called it free at the point of use?

Reply 15

Yellowmonkeyman

10

Lord Hysteria

There are two problems here:

1) It's expensive. But it is only expensive because government has a monopoly on medicine.

2) You, presumably, have no problem with expecting other people in society to put their hands in their pockets and fund your visit to the doctor? I think this position lacks self-respect and dignity.

I and my parents pay taxes so we are effectively funding our own healthcare. My position does not lack anything.

Reply 16

Bslforever

15

Yeah, because cheap health care sounds like something valuable and worth having...

Reply 17

blinkbelle

17

inksplodge

It is cheap healthcare. There are some people in the country who have never had to use the healthcare system before (minus when they were born, perhaps) and they're still paying tax for it, which I think it wrong... :dontknow:

You still have to pay for medicine.

But it's there if they need to use it. It's like health insurance - you pay even if you don't need it because someday you might, and on that day you wouldn't be able to afford to pay upfront for the care you need.

Reply 18

username350927

Lord Hysteria

There are two problems here:

1) It's expensive. But it is only expensive because government has a monopoly on medicine.

2) You, presumably, have no problem with expecting other people in society to put their hands in their pockets and fund your visit to the doctor? I think this position lacks self-respect and dignity.

Public healthcare is more efficient as by covering everyone you are less likely to get ill therefore reducing costs as there is a decrease in number of illnesses

Reply 19