Firsthand Knowledge Of

The National Health Service

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to a letter published last week in The Bee by Stan Rajczewski, Jr [Letter Hive, 2/13/09, “Backdoor National Health”]. Whilst I must confess to having no expert knowledge regarding the bill he was referring to, and I have no idea if his comments regarding this bill were indeed correct. I would like to offer a different perspective on his statement regarding the system being based upon a “disastrous system which exists within the UK.” This is an often repeated argument I have heard many times since I came to live in the US. However, I have some firsthand knowledge of the UK NHS [National Health Service] having been born and raised in England. The fundamentals of the NHS system is this: You will receive treatment for your illness irrespective of your financial status. The system is based upon the very simple idea that you should receive medical treatment, regardless of your ability to pay.

Living in the USA I have come to understand that you will receive world-class care if you have insurance. However, many millions don’t have, or indeed cannot afford, insurance. My own mother was diagnosed with cancer and she received excellent care, based on her needs, not her ability to pay. In the final weeks of her life, she was admitted to a wonderful hospice, where she received round the clock 24-hour care, staffed by a group of dedicated and caring professionals. We did not have to pay a penny toward the cost of care, nor did we have to worry about how we would afford to pay for it. The NHS of today is fully computerized, modern, and efficient. If you need to see a doctor, you can. You may have to wait for nonurgent treatments, but you will be seen by a doctor and be treated, all without the additional stress of worrying if you can afford it, if your insurance will cover it, or if indeed your insurance will run out.

My son recently required five stitches in his knee — he was taken to the accident and emergency. They dealt with him within two hours, stitched his knee up, took great care of him and did an excellent job. We have just received a copy of the bill that was sent to our insurance company for these five stitches; it was $1,500. Yes, that’s right, one thousand, five hundred dollars for five stitches. We are one of the lucky ones that have a job and subsequently have health insurance, but there are millions of people who don’t. I have no idea how people can afford this.

With Kindest Regards,

Jayne Long

34 Woodbine Lane, Newtown                               February 17, 2009