mark would you explain this to me?

Log in

01:01 le 06 mars 2006

No account? Create an account

Remember me




			mark would you explain this to me? - hip hip queens-ray! kew them gardens. — LiveJournal hands up clap clap hands down

gordond


	mark would you explain this to me?
	Hmm. This is from someone on UKnova. I live in Shropshire, our PCT (Primary Care Trust) is currently 10 million quid in debt. As a consequence Herceptin (Breast Cancer Drug) is being refused on the NHS. It is available privately through Shropshire centres at £40,000. It is available through a Manchester centre for £26,000. So while it might be available, it's cost will vary depending on your postcode, (and perceived wealth). This seems quite outrageous! How does this work? Incidentally if you can spare a dollar or two (or a pound sterling etc.) this family needs your help feeling: : sleepy

3 commentaires and Leave a comment


	Comments

	From: stainsteelrat	Date: le 06 mars 2006 14:05 (UTC)		(Lien)

It's one of the great failings of the NHS, that over the last few years has been permeated by hundreds of managers/accountants. Who then make financial decisions over life and death situations. This is aside from the long waiting lists for urgent treatment like cancer.

It might be that there's more to it though e.g. an alternative treatment. Then it comes down to debating over which treatment is more effective. It's the problem with an underfunded health system with bloated management.

How do things like this work in the US? I know that private health insurance is best to have, but you also have "Medicare"? If that's the correct word.

(Répondre) (Thread)

	From: gordond	Date: le 07 mars 2006 01:47 (UTC)		(Lien)

To the best of my knowledge the only people eligible for medicare are the elderly and people who are unable to provide for themselves due to disability of some sort.

I personally pay $120 or so for insurance which covers health and dental needs. There are all sorts of complicated decisions to be made when choosing coverage and the company charges more or less depending on your age, smoking status, what you want your maximum out of pocket expenses to be (the higher your maximum, the lower your premium - but then again if this poor woman had been covered by a fairly low out of pocket expense she would only have to pay up to that and the rest of the year the company would be obligated to completely pay for it.

...and people here say it should be all government covered. Clearly not always a functional solution in practice?

(Répondre) (Parent) (Thread)

	From: stainsteelrat	Date: le 07 mars 2006 02:14 (UTC)		(Lien)

I'm not sure how private health insurance works in the US, but even in the UK there are clauses and complications on what you're covered for. There may well be medicines and treatments you aren't receiving because of expense, and I assume the same can happen in the US. Particularly when private healthcare is run for profit, but perhaps they're more effective at keeping it quiet.

Part of the problem is the poor can't afford private healthcare, and only some of the middle and probably most of the upper class pay for it in the UK.

Going back to the previous post, a lot of middle management was brought into the NHS and I suspect that has drained a lot of funds, and there are probably various inefficiencies that need to be sorted out.

Government run things tend to equate to inefficient but relatively cash rich, whereas privately run tend to be a lot more efficient but judicious also.

(Répondre) (Parent) (Thread)


	3 commentaires and Leave a comment