Discussion on NHS vs USA medical facilities

[Guest guest]

I am willing as ever to have a factual discussion on this, for a limited period.

So up to 2400 (12 midnight GMT Sunday)

My take is that there is no perfect system. Those who can afford it in the USA can demand the highest level of treatment, but the unemployed or low paid with no insurance strugle to pay for basic drugs. In the UK we don't have this, the NHS provides to both king and pauper. True it is paid for by taxes, generally the rich pay more than the poor (general statement simplifying a really complex tax system - so don't hit me with detail).

In the UK we have NHS which as far as I am concerned isn't far behind the USA as far as progress is concerned. Eg We have the cancer drug fund and this allows use of Abiraterone now at least up to 2014, time to make the point to messers Cameron, Clegg and Osbourne.

Admittedly it has taken some urologists time to catch up but generally things are much better than when I was diagnosed in 1996.

In the UK you can opt for private treatment either via insurance or direct payment BUT for emergencies the expertise is in the NHS and not the private hospitals.

I suppose the point should be how can we continue to improve our systems to provide consistently modern treatment to all who need it.

Each country has its challenges!