FriendofFriko

The sight, sound and fury of so many Americans demonstrating against the Obama administration's health care reforms which we are able to witness via the media and the vilification of the UK's National Health Service in the US prompts me to write this account of an elderly couple's experiences under the NHS system. Both my husband and I have had reason to be extremely grateful to the NHS during the past 23 years. We have had more than our fair share out of the Service, all free at the point of delivery.

My husband at 82 suffers from the usual ailments and conditions of the elderly, high blood pressure, heart and circulation problems; he also has a history of transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes). All these conditions are kept under control by regular checkups and medication. He has had a number of minor operations, such as carpal tunnel on one hand, which required neurological tests on both hands at a Neurophysiology Department, cataract removal in one eye and regular check-ups for macular degeneration in both eyes at a specialist eye clinic, and he has had an angiogram with subsequent angioplasty procedure in one leg. A further angiogram is foreseen for the near future.

At 68 my health care history is such that any Insurer would blanch at the idea of covering me: in the last twenty three years I have suffered from kidney failure (nephrotic syndrome), endometrial cancer, pulmonary embolism and arrhythmia. I have had an operation on my thyroid, a gastroscopy and a broken ankle. Prompt treatment, operations, radiotherapy, long term medication have all ensured that I am fine, happy and lucky to be alive. Several times I have had to be admitted the the Accident and Emergency Hospital where treatment was prompt, professional, thorough and successful. Each time an ambulance turned up within 15 to 30 minutes - we live deep in rural countryside, miles from the nearest hospital. AND NEVER ONCE WAS I ASKED FOR MY INSURANCE DETAILS, I was expecting to be and was treated by the NHS without question, query or censure at no cost to myself. And nobody ever said YOU ARE TOO OLD, YOU COST TOO MUCH.

So, our teeth may not be as white or regular as yours, but we live without fear of astronomical health care costs, secure in the knowledge that we will be taken care of if the need arises. I sincerely hope that the same will one day be a reality for all Americans , not only those who can afford it. Friko @ Friko's Musings