Pros and Cons of Britain's Health Care System

By: Charlie D'Agata
Topics: World Watch

CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata takes a look at the pros and cons of Britain's 60-year-old health care system.

The Upside of Britain's Health Care System:

Britain is one of many European nations that have state-run health care system. Although the care has been criticized, one American says it saved her life.

The Downside of Britain's Health Care System:

Many British citizens are proud of their health-care system. But some say the system has failed them -- with tragic consequences.

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by sweetns79 September 21, 2009 2:06 PM EDT: Why do people think that the Public OPTION means Gov't run healthcare? The word OPTION means you don't have to use it if you don't want to. How many times do you need that explained? The President himself has said that less than 5% of the people would probably use it. At least it would be there for those that absolutley needed it, like the homeless.

I would be all for a system like Britain has. They give you 6 months maternity leave paid. If you have to pay for transportation to the hospital they refund it, or they pay for your ride home if you need one. To all the people complaining about they don't get good treatment, you have to wait for an appt. As far as I know you usually have to wait for an appt for most doctors in America too, unless you go to a walkin clinic. Then you have to wait hours sometimes. And lets not forget the elderly woman that died in the waiting room of an American hospital and no one even bothered to check on her right away when she fell over. And anyone that walks into an emergency room will most likely wait hours apon hours to be seen here in America.

So, some advice for those out there that think America has the most superior healthcare system in the world, take a closer look at those that don't have insurance. Ask them what they think. Ask the homeless. And Pray to God that you never get so sick that you need some kind of radical treatment and then, oops, sorry, thats a pre-existing condition, its not covered. Or we don't cover experimental treatments.; Reply to this comment

by rkimmel2 June 28, 2009 10:12 AM EDT

When you do a story on British Healthcare emphasizing a specific care being denied a patient, it would be good to mention whether or not such care would have been provided and covered by a typical U.S. private insurance provider. I suspect that the answered more often than not would be no. Generally, experimental treatment is not covered in the U.S. and is reserved either for the rich or guinea pigs.

I could not care less about Canadians or Brits who come to the States because they don't like waiting their turn.

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by vikingfan43 September 9, 2009 5:51 PM EDT: You state that US insurance companies would not ok some treatment, but you don't want to hear about these people coming here because they don't want to wait in Canada. Well if we go with a public option that is exactly what we will have here. Sick people waiting to see a doctor.


by 1940jhp April 5, 2009 9:39 PM EDT: The UK has had State run Health care for 60 years. Canada has government run healthcare as well. If you talk to any canadian they will say stick with the system you have. My daughter lived in Canada. She says it takes forever to get an appointment with a doctor as the government has to determine whether you need care or not.. And after that you finally get to make the appointment and find you are unable to get an appointment for 5 or 6 weeks down the road. Canadians find it is more convenient to travel to the US for their medical care. I met a Canadian on a cruise ship. He had terrible burn scars. He said he was involved in a gas fire. His lungs were damaged as well as his skin. The doctors worked on the external burns ignoring the lung damage. He finally was able to travel to Chicago and was finally given proper medical care. He said he would have been dead if he stayed in the Canadian hospital. Check how many doctors are leaving Canada and Great Britain due to low compensation in both countries. The doctors have to work long hours in order to meet government "quotas" in number of patients seen each day. Quality of care suffers due to low number of doctors available. Look at how many low income people in the US that are seen with no strings for no cost health care. Illegals are taking advantage of this in our country. Why are we going down the same road as these failed state run health care systems in Europe and Canada. If you think we are spending a lot of money on healthcare now wait until the government starts paying with our tax dollars. Everyone who has similar horror stories about Canadian and Great Britain health care please wade in.; Reply to this comment


by livebait2008 March 30, 2009 4:53 PM EDT: super fast; Reply to this comment


by livebait2008 March 30, 2009 4:53 PM EDT: new test; Reply to this comment


by kate1149 March 28, 2009 4:56 PM EDT: When countries like England and Canada provide health care for everyone people do not get as sick because they can go to the doctor and get preventitive care and check ups before they need expensive treatments and surgery. Many people avoid going to the doctor with little things because they can't afford it, and then it turns into a big thing and they have to go to the emergency room and everything costs more. The people who do not want health care reform are the ones who have good health care or are too young to think they need it. But, more and more companies will not be able to compete on the global market if they have to provide health care and soon less and less companies will be able to provide it. Then we will see all these people who are claiming that America has the best health care in the world so why mess with it screaming for reform when they are the ones who are without health care protection. Selfishness, greed and lack of empathy for others will make you all sick so watch out GOP - your day is coming.; Reply to this comment