NationalHealthTruths.org
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National Health Service Users : US Expat Experiences (Con't - page 3)
Since the first half of October 2009, we began gathering testimonials about global health care models. Scroll through these pages to read US expat experiences of national health services around the world as well as observations and opinions by other individuals with direct experience of international health care systems.
We welcome all comments about your experiences with national health systems - both positive and negative. Our goal is to provide a platform to exchange experiences, information and facts that will then allow us to be able to engage in a real debate about improving healthcare in America.
The opinions expressed in these testimonials are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NationalHealthTruths.org. |
I've been living in France for 14 years, before that 8 years in Geneva. Both places have excellent health care, but I particularly appreciate France's system of total coverage. I am working but low income (artist), so I pay a monthly fee of less than 100 US dollars and I get 70% of my medical and dental paid by the state. If I cannot pay the entire amounts are covered under a plan called CMU, which I can activate with a form. At first the paperwork can be a bit daunting but it's really nothing compared to what private insurance companies put you through. I choose my own doctors and dentists, and they even make housecalls here if you need them. At this point I feel I could not afford to return to the US if I wanted to, as I'm over 50 now and cannot rely on the systems in place, particularly for self-employed people like me.
- Jasmine, Switzerland/France, 22 year user of nationalized health systems, originally from Michigan |
I have been using French national health care for 10 years. I had 2 babies here. I have never had sub-standard care, and I have more freedom of choice about my doctors than does anyone I know with American insurance. I can see ANY doctor I like and it will be paid for. My treatments are always decided between me and my doctor, the government does not approve or decline my treatments, it only pays for it.
France has a system that is "mutualist" - that is, government healthcare covers about 70% of the costs, and private insurance (sometimes through one's work, otherwise, chosen on one's own), covers the rest.
Costs are as much as 10x less than in the US - I paid 2400 € ($2400) at the time for a c-section delivery, including spinal, and private hospital room for a week. That was the ENTIRE cost, not a copayment. The government and my insurance covered all or almost all of that. A generalist visit is 20-some euros, not 50. Most doctors offices have nothing more than a secretary in the mornings if even that - no one is needed to file insurance claims, because either they are submitted directly with our health card with a microchip, or we send in the form ourselves.
Also, I have all my own health records, they don't belong to any doctor like they do in the US. I can take them to whomever I choose and don't have to beg, plead, and pay for copies when I switch doctors.
In 10 years, I have never had a "wait time" like the detractors like to talk about for Canada or England. I have never had treatment refused. I am, however, terrified of falling ill in the US where I HAVE been turned away from the ER for not having my insurance card with me - legal or not, it happened. When one of my children became ill with a stomach bug last year in the US, we hurried home to get him to his regular doctor because we can't afford American doctors without insurance and weren't ABOUT to go to the ER and be billed thousands!
I dream of moving back to the US one day (probably after retirement) but I honestly don't think I'll be able to unless the healthcare system changes significantly between now and then.
Oh, and taxes - I am self employed, and pay about 7% of my income to the national healthcare system. WELL worth it to me, and I'm sure it's less than many people pay for their American insurance!
- Alisa, aged 32, 10 year user of France's health system, originally from Missouri
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As an American who has lived in the UK for almost 10 years, I have several times made use of the services of the NHS. Each time belied the conception of the NHS I had before I moved to the UK. I have never once been unable to make an appointment to see a doctor within a reasonable time-period, and in fact was able to see a doctor far more quickly than I expected. The treatment I received each time was first rate. Once, after a rather messy spill on a bicycle, I was taken to the A&E of a large London hospital; I expected to wait hours and hours and, once I saw a doctor, to be rushed through. But in fact the opposite occurred. Wait time was insubstantial, I was patched up quickly, and staff was downright friendly.
- HP, aged 49, 10 year user of Britain's NHS, originally from West Virginia
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Knock on wood I've never had a critical illness so my experiences with the National Health are limited to minor ailments. Still, I've always found it efficient. I feel absolutely confident that if I were to fall ill with a critical illness, that I would be in good hands with the system.
- Harold Sanditen, aged 52, 22 year user of Britain's NHS, originally from Oklahoma |
I'd used the NHS happily for many years, but it wasn't until I became a parent three years ago that I realized how lucky I am. The emphasis on prenatal care, the midwife-led approach and the health visitor system mean that you have constant support from the day you discover you're pregnant through the first five years of your child's life and beyond. There are too many services and benefits - all of them free - to list here, but the combination of these alongside your General Practitioner add up to a thorough and complete level of care.
- AH, aged 45, 10 year user of Britain's NHS, originally from New York
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