Aneurin Bevan, this one’s for you.
Posted by somewhatirascible on 12/08/2009
This is a Guardian article on the lies being spread by right-wing lunatics in the USA concerning our brilliant National Health Service.
US critics have accused the [national health] service of putting an “Orwellian” financial cap on the value on human life
Except that the US healthcare system only values human life if the human in question can afford to pay the bills. HMMMMMM.
“I don’t know for sure,” said Grassley. “But I’ve heard several senators say that Ted Kennedy with a brain tumour, being 77 years old as opposed to being 37 years old, if he were in England, would not be treated for his disease, because end of life – when you get to be 77, your life is considered less valuable under those systems.”
“I don’t know for sure,” said Grassley.
“I don’t know for sure,” said Grassley.
“I don’t know for sure,” said Grassley.
Yeah, so keep your mouth shut until you do know what you’re talking about, ignoramus.
The former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin last week described president Obama’s proposals as “evil”
Yes, you’re right, Sarah Palin, the NHS is run by mystical forces and not incredibly hard-working, caring people. You’re not a complete wackjob at all.
The UK has to send medical aid to the US to help people who can’t afford treatment. Yes, parts of the US are no better than a developing country thanks to their shambles of a corporate healthcare system. And these chumps are complaining about waiting lists and saying that the NHS doesn’t care about human life? Don’t make me laugh. I’m quite happy to be on a waiting list; it’s better than not being able to afford treatment at all. I have an on-going hip problem. It has taken a while for things to be sorted out, but at least it will be fixed. I doubt I would be saying the same thing if I had to live under the system in the US.
I have a strong suspicion that these people in the US who criticise the NHS are just upset that some of their precious money will be taken away in order to – gasp! – help people. Why else would they go to such desperate lengths and tell lies over this? Well, I’m damn proud that my taxes are saving lives and I doubt that I earn anywhere near as much as most of these avaricious slimeballs. The NHS is not perfect; I know that, we all know that. Any problems, however, lie in mismanagement and staffing shortages rather than Nazi-Communists from Hell with their dark supernatural forces (and I can’t believe that I actually have to point that out). Mismanagement is a failing of corporations, too, however, and I certainly would not like to place my body and mind into their hands.
Here is a handy comparison between global healthcare systems. How very, very interesting.
Here is a nice little link, too, in which Stephen Hawking spectacularly pwns some lying fools.
So here’s to Mr Bevan, the NHS, all of the wonderful treatment from which I have benefitted and all of the hip-saving treatment yet to come.
gazzmatazz said
Fantastic entry
Niall said
When Norrice and her friend Katie were over in London recently doing their medical electives they were both quite impressed by the NHS. The hopsitals they took their electives at Chelsea & Westminster (Norrice) and St.Marys (Katie) are both pretty god hospitals it must be said and maybe not indicative of the whole NHS, (Chelsea & Westminster being in a very affluent area and very well equipped probably because of that is nonetheless a NHS hopstial). Both found the system to be much fairer on both patient and doctor than the Irish healthcare system which has more of an emphasis on private healthcare (the irish govt themselves owning a health insurance company). A point both Norrice and Katie made to me was their disliking of the fact that you have to pay for a visit to your GP, meaning that if you are ill and impoverished you may avoid visiting a GP until you are very ill and also that if you consider yourself possibly ill you can waste alot of money on a brief encounter with a Doctor.
Norrice and Katie were also impressed by the waiting times at the pediatric a&e clinics they were based in. If I remember correctly I believe 4 hours is the target longest waiting time for patients at a&e in the UK whereas in Ireland if you are waiting for anything less than 12 you are considered lucky.
Sorry this abit of a ramble but all the coverage of the healthcare reform in America has seriously confused me (and alot of Americans as far as I can tell). Everyone having healthcare is good for everyone (mainly because it means less disease/pain/death). One of the strangest things I’ve seen so far was a brief shot on channel 4 news of a woman with a placard saying something along the lines of “God can’t give everyone good health, Obama isn’t God so this won’t work”. Sometimes people are truly bizarre…..I don’t say this often but Britain is a pretty damn fine place to be.
somewhatirascible said
… what? Sorry, I was just listening to a highly credible person who was saying that the NHS kicks puppies and eats babies.
Hannah said
WORD.
I was going to post something similar today but haven’t had time. I have, however, been following the outrageous lies being spread about ~socialised healthcare~ over the past few days.
somewhatirascible said
It’s absolutely shameful. If I was working in a British embassy over there I would lose all sense of diplomacy. Which is probably why I don’t work for any British embassies.