WHILE the NHS is woefully underfunded and has been suffering under the mismanagement of a poor Tory government for years, it is still considered one of the jewels in the crown of the UK.
The thought of paying for an ambulance, to give birth or getting price gouged for life-saving drugs is simply not computable in this country.
America though is an entirely different beast.
When Bernie Sanders put a tweet out to ask the US public ‘What’s the most absurd medical bill you have ever received?’, Dr Jennifer Gunter replied with an answer that will shock even the most ardent supporters of privatisation.
“$600 for my son who lived about 3 minutes. He received no medical care. At all. As he died almost immediately he didn’t get enrolled in my insurance plan, so I got the bill. From the hospital where I was a doctor.”
With the US private medical vultures circling overhead, media channel Politics Joe took to the streets to film the reactions of the UK public to the insane prices paid across the pond.
Visibly shocked
When one woman is asked how much an inhaler costs she guesses $100 (£79).
The interviewer informs her that in fact they are normally around is $250 to $350. (£200 to £300).
The woman is nearly bowled over with shock before exclaiming, ‘For an inhaler? Man, so if you’re poor, you’re dead.’
One man’s astonishment reaches new heights upon discovering that not only is there a fee associated with dialling an ambulance in the United States but that it can amount to a staggering $2,500 (£2000).
Privatisation
Back here in Blighty rumours have failed to dissipate that Tory ministers are ‘looking to privatise’ the NHS, a position we must fight to the end.
As with the water and the railways, it is very clear any privatisation will be an abject disaster created only to line the pockets of the government’s chums.
Watch the UK public react to the crazy US prices in the video below.
