In the UK, an ambulance callout costs you £0 in medical bills. The birth of your child costs you £0 in medical bills. In the USA, it’s a different story.
We asked members of the public to guess how much they’d have to pay for simple medical services in America, and what they think about the NHS – an all too valuable asset during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the reactions are just perfect.
We have so many examples of costs being out of hand on this side of the pond.
I don’t know that our health care system in Canada is as inclusive as the NHS in the U.K. but it’s pretty good. As a personal example, my son was born premature and needed about 2 months in hospital before coming home. I was talking to one of his doctors and he said that in the U.S., his care would have cost at least $100,000. And that was in the early 80s, so you can imagine what it would be now. Oh yes, our cost? $0.
It’s easy to say having grown up in the U.K., but no first world country should base healthcare on affordability. It’s offensive to me.