Current Events > You know something that sucks about universal healthcare, at least in the UK?

(+) Yeah! (+)

We don't have "normal" checkups. Medicine is basically never preventative in the UK. Instead you wait till you get a problem and then you go to the doctor, explain that problem and deal with it from there.

But you don't just randomly or regularly go to the doctor and get a full check up done unless you have some significant reason to do so. My dad has an auto-immune problem and had a stroke, so he gets checkups. I have no known medical issues, so my options are limited.

I believe you can push for one, but they really don't like doing it.

Yes, but you're not necessarily having to choose between healthcare when you need it, or putting food on the table.

Xatrion posted...

Yes, but you're not necessarily having to choose between healthcare when you need it, or putting food on the table.

Oh for sure. And in Scotland medicine is completely free, and that's awesome.

Just saying that at 35 I'm at that age where I'm not old enough to get a check up under the NHS but definitely old enough where I have things I should start worrying about.

Weird. Seems like preventative care would save money in the long run.

Yeah, we dont really have that here in the states either. If you have good insurance then maybe, if you're working poor, no. You get sick, you have 3 options. Regular doctor = wait a month to have all your issues ignored. Urgent care = you'll get seen, but mostly will just get RX for ibuprofen. E.R. = wait minimum of 6hrs to be charged 4K for 2 aspirin, temp check, and 3mins you actually talked to a medical student.

Here we have various screenings for stuff. Line women in risky ages will get screened for breast cancer, etc. It's not a general checkup but it's preventative care.

Link_of_time posted...

Yeah, we dont really have that here in the states either.

We do. Preventative services were mandated as part of Obamacare. If you have a medical plan, and it isn't "self-funded" which can be confusing, you get a physical each year, STD screenings, vaccines, and certain blood work.

I think it's great to have preventative services covered and I'm surprised they aren't covered in the UK. Off the top of my head I can only really think of one negative and that would be a huge increase in doctors visits. Right off the bat everyone would be adding AT LEAST 1 visit a year for a physical, more if you need OB/GYN services.

would rather pay and arm and a leg for

"feeling good?" "Yes"
"cool see you next time"

WrkHrdPlayHrdr posted...

We do. Preventative services were mandated as part of Obamacare. If you have a medical plan, and it isn't "self-funded" which can be confusing, you get a physical each year, STD screenings, vaccines, and certain blood work.

Been through Obamacare, never had a yearly physical, planned or requested. Been with and without insurance, bad and good. TBF, the longest I've gone without seeing a doctor is 3yr. Currently on state healthcare for the past 3 never had a "checkup". I imagine the other things you mentioned are available upon request.

You know something that sucks about healthcare in America? You dont go in for checkups. You dont go in ever, until you have a heart attack. And even then you sometimes dont go in because youre worried about how much theyll bill your next of kin. And then you fucking die.

I have to have annual checkups now for my job as its a requirement for the visa. Its mostly just an inconvenience.