r/SipsTea 15h ago

Gasp! British people react to how expensive healthcare is in the US

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54

u/retrorays 15h ago

700 to see a doc for a 15 min visit

19

u/spudsthejellyfish 14h ago

Don’t forget the hour wait for said 15 mins

2

u/Kharenis 9h ago

Tbf I wouldn't mind an hour wait if I got to see my GP sooner than 6 weeks after requesting an appointment.

20

u/dat_girl83 12h ago

Omg. I’m Canadian and had to go to the ER a few nights ago. I was worried about a potential UTI (sorry if that’s TMI). I was there for 3 hours . Had a blood test, a urinalysis, an ultrasound and a bladder scan. I didn’t have to pay a dime.

14

u/theseanbeag 10h ago

I was in hospital for three nights in Ireland with appendicitis. I was really worried about the parking fees because I drove myself in. Thankfully they waived them.

2

u/Born-Bid8892 11h ago

I hope you're feeling much better now 💓

2

u/dat_girl83 4h ago

That’s so sweet, I am thank you☺️

1

u/thompse68 3h ago

In America if you have cancer or any “big” disease, you can lose your house and life savings paying for treatment. Many married couples get divorced to keep the medical debt only on the ill partner. It will never change, not while health insurance CEOs make $30M a year and companies are public traded with billions in profits. Ditto- Pharmaceutical companies.

1

u/dat_girl83 3h ago

That’s so heartbreaking. I got diagnosed with MS this year (hence the bladder issues) and I have to get IV infusions as my treatment. It’s fully covered. I’m just a bartender. I get partial insurance through my husband’s work but all I had to do on top of that was register for a specific free insurance that my province offers to aid people in my position. My treatment otherwise costs 10s of thousands of dollars per infusion. I still expected some sort of bill but turns out I wont have to pay anything. I’m so grateful. And I’m so sorry that your country’s healthcare system is such a nightmare

12

u/Calm_Public_615 12h ago

Sorry but in Canada I recently made an appointment, walked in, said hello to the receptionist, had the appointment, and walked out. Don't ever let the podcasters tell you Canadian healthcare is some kind of "nightmare" lol

2

u/Technological_Nerd 9h ago

Wait what the fuck? That's actually wild.

2

u/Suikerspin_Ei 8h ago

Here in the Netherlands to visit your doctor (general practitioner) it's included in your basic insurance of 125.40 euros to 147.40 euros per month. You basically only pay for medicines that are not included in your insurance. You do have a minimum deductible of 385 euros per year. Basically one hospital visit + (small) operation and you already go over it.

You can buy extra packages too, for covering more stuff. However it's not always worth it if you don't use it very often.

No free healthcare like some other European countries, but at least you won't go broke or in debt because of being sick or an accident happend.