Some Americans
I made this!
don't like our NHS. I wrote a song about why they're wrong.
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B3tan Housewife, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 0:18,
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An American newspaper claimed: 'People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn't have a chance in the UK, where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless.'
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B3tan Housewife, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 0:19,
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Wasnt this some Tea Party moron who made this statement, was certainly some hardcore republican
Shame he happened to make his statement to the press the week Dr Hawking was in Washington to pick up a medal from the Prez and basically said if it wasnt for the NHS he would be dead.
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lord turkey boy and the cleft of venus, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 2:31,
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this is where the right to free speech gets you ;)
To be fair though I've seen all sorts of insane things claimed in newspapers all over the world.
Ignorance is so much worse when you mix it with confidence.
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Professor Fnord Regius Professor of B3ta Chronology, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 9:41,
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Top tune, fine sentiments.
Mailed to my American nearest and dearest..
Click!
(, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 0:26, Share, Reply)
I agree strongly, but 2 things
1) I've come across UK people who genuinely don't want the NHS because they don't want to have to pay for other people (when they believe that they would get better private care). Granted these people are Mail-reading, selfish twunts, but they do exist.
2) I think that one of the greatest things about the NHS is that it's non-discriminatory, which is why I worry about the idea of making decisions based on if the person is an alcoholic, smoker, or drug addict.
I know neither of these points are really to do with the tune (which is awesome), but it's what it made me think of.
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shk is always cool and calm, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 0:39,
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good points non the less though
I cant believe people who don't want the NHS. The very fact that prescriptions are so cheap makes things so much easier for so many people.
In this country you don't have to put off going to the docs. Its amazing in my book. Also the staff in the NHS are still on the whole better paid than the staff in America (even if alot of nurses here are woefully underpaid).
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Nostrebor can't be everything all the time., Mon 19 Apr 2010, 0:57,
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nurese get more in thestates.
so do doctors. so i'm confused that you're saying that the wages are better here.
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tickle I was away, Tue 20 Apr 2010, 16:54,
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Erm, prescriptions over here aren't "cheap"...
But I can understand why we have to pay a standard fee regardless of the cost of the actual drug. Usually it wouldn't bother me at all (cos those who can afford it pay more for it to pay for the ones who can't afford it), but when Wales pay NOTHING and Scotland are due to have their costs abolished by 2011 then you have to wonder wub-teh-eff is we the only country in the UK still paying?
Having been on prescribed drugs since the age of 9 I often wonder why I'm not allowed to request what drugs I'd like as well. I mean, it's not like I'd just prescribe myself Tramodol. I need Ventolin too.
(, Sat 24 Apr 2010, 23:48, Share, Reply)
Less in wages?
I make 24.66 pounds an hour after taxes. However, I have 25 years experience and have specialized training and 2 university degrees. What do nurses get over there?
(, Thu 13 May 2010, 22:57, Share, Reply)
passed on to plenty americans on FB
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Nostrebor can't be everything all the time., Mon 19 Apr 2010, 0:40,
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Great stuff as usual
FB'd
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Fishcat Difficult difficult lemon difficult., Mon 19 Apr 2010, 1:44,
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top tune!
gonna spread it as well as possible.
also:
you can't get health insurance in america if you're autistic?
why the hell not?!
That's a bit daft. Autism doesn't damage your physical health the slightest.
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The little pink animal is mostly harmless, except on, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 7:31,
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I guess the justification is that autism could make you more liable to injure yourself somehow - which SHOULD be an even more important reason to make sure you have healthcare
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B3tan Housewife, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 11:58,
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No
it's because then imsurance would have to pay the therapy and treatment bills, which are astronomical here.
(, Thu 13 May 2010, 23:03, Share, Reply)
That's fab
and I fucking loathe rap. You need some sexy female harmony though :)
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Pew Pew Pew! Lasers! wannabe Gong Farmer, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 11:30,
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That's fucking brilliant.
Has a bit of a Dan le Sac and Scroobius Pip vibe to it.
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Bob Todd whee, Mon 19 Apr 2010, 12:00,
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sheer awesomeness again dude.
is british mental health known internationally as shit? i reckon it's better than in america just the same as physical health care. the scottish executive have put recovery at the heart of new policy. only new zealand is also doing that.
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tickle I was away, Tue 20 Apr 2010, 16:51,
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Wonderful :)
And yes, Sicko is quite a frightening film...why could you only find the dutch sub version?
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Extinct Jesus Dossier "...I think it counteracts Hitler's magic...", Fri 23 Apr 2010, 18:06,
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It was either hi-quality footage with dutch subs, or low quality footage without the subs. I was in a rush to make the video for a songwriting competition deadline so didn't have time to track down the perfect version
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B3tan Housewife, Sat 24 Apr 2010, 20:35,
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As a 'Merkin with no health insurance,
I cried a single tear and then mailed this to everyone I know.
Bravo!
(, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 18:47, Share, Reply)
Nice but,
I wouldn't believe the hype that the US healthcare bill was at all about health care. For one, it's not "national" - only affects a small portion. While the higher taxes and penalties go into effect immediately, coverage doesn't start until four years from now.
The US government admitted that despite their promises, children won't be covered under the provisions, nor that their numbers about cost and savings were actually accurate.
The taxes collected for this are not dedicated, meaning that like social security, they can be collected and then applied elsewhere - leading to rationing and shortages in funding.
The democrats are already saying that the bill needs to be "reformed".
Healthcare for the poor and elderly had over $500 billion in cuts to pay for the bill.
The bill has a provision that allows people to "game" the law: essentially, one does not buy insurance until one gets sick, then buys it until the procedure is over, then drops off. It will be bankrupt.
I know that Brits are fiercely proud about their healthcare, but it is a mistake to believe anywhere similar. And the Tea Party people have a right to their beliefs, which according to the latest polls comply with over 50% of the Americans polled.
Little hope; change for the worse.
He thinks he's king.
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BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 22:27,
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Oh yeah, this isn't a track about the healthcare Bill, this is about why I think a proper health service needs to be in place in America. Obviously the NHS isnt perfect, but I know which country I'd rather have an accident in.
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B3tan Housewife, Sat 24 Apr 2010, 20:37,
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Understood. I hope you don't get into an accident anywhere
Although, people come from far and wide to the Mayo clinic for the quality of care (my other half is finishing accelerated nursing degree down there - since gas is going up, we will now only eat cardboard with catsup).
In the US someone who has been injured and has no way to pay MUST be treated - primarily by county hospitals, but others do it as well.
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BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Mon 26 Apr 2010, 17:05,
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Everyone has the right
to be treated, certainly. In practice this is not always observed: witness the woman dying in the ED. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19207050/
The treatment isn't the problem-it's PAYING for it. The treatment is always there if you can pay for it.
(, Thu 13 May 2010, 23:11, Share, Reply)
Great stuff
Where did you find the list of conditions not covered, would be interested to read that.
(, Sat 24 Apr 2010, 19:50, Share, Reply)
That bit of footage was used in the Michael Moore film "Sicko" - the list varies from insurance company to insurance company but if you have a "pre-existing condition" such as one of those, you'll find it a bugger to get cover
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B3tan Housewife, Thu 29 Apr 2010, 0:27,
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My dad lives in America, and has lived under both healthcare systems.
Apparently people in his office tell him he's wrong when he says that he can say with full confidence that the British system is better.
But anyway, top stuff as usual mate.
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Green Spanner and his magical lack of activity, Sun 25 Apr 2010, 11:19,
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Ooh, but, but, but...
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a "Non-profit" insurance company!
...which is how they got to be so durned large, with their pretty suits and neckties and automobiles which take them from meeting to meeting so they can hobnob with the CEO and rub shoulders with community leaders.
Me, I am FOR-profit, which is why I have to scrouge beneath the Chesterfield cushions to have enough money for bus fare in order to make it to my job every day.
Maybe there's something to be said about that.
(, Wed 28 Apr 2010, 16:25, Share, Reply)
Pfft!
I can't understand why anyone would be against a national health plan. My husband can't quit his job. He has great insurance and all my health problems have occured since he started there. If he went somewhere else or our plan changed, I would be dead in a couple years.
(, Thu 13 May 2010, 22:54, Share, Reply)