A couple years ago my mother was staying with us for a few weeks. She got up off the couch quickly while turning to get around the coffee table, and tore her meniscus. She dealt with the pain for a few days before I took her to the ER. Two days later she was in surgery getting it repaired. Everything went well and she is fine.
I am willing to bet that does not happen anywhere in the world EXCEPT in the USA, for someone of modest means.
Sadly, libs are not smart enough to accept that our system with it many faults, is still the best in the world.
Advancing socialism is much more important than good healthcare.
Wrong again! My brother in law (in Belgium) just got a shoulder replacement at the age of 86. . .he had to wait 3 weeks because he had planned a week at the seashore. . . and the doctor didn't want him to leave town directly after the surgery.
By the way, he went through another surgery (to clear the carotid artery) in March. . .two weeks after he was diagnosed with an 85% block of that artery. In the US, they won't even CONSIDER that surgery unless you are over 75% blockage. . .and then you have to wait!
My brother had a massive heart attack (actually died and was resucitated) at the age of 61. It happened while he was at his vacation home in Italy. He was transported by helicopter to a large hospital in the neighboring city, and had surgery. He stayed in intensive care for 19 days, then was moved to a regular ward. . .where he stayed for another 2 weeks. After that, he had to have rehabilitation therapy for 1 months, three times a week.
All of that for free. . .no infection, no problems. . .he is back at riding his bike three times a week for 10 miles each time, and walking 4 times a week 5 miles each day. He is now 68.
Nothing wrong with being in a ward with several people. In fact, when my husband was hospitalized in England for 6 weeks, he got so bored in his private room that he REQUESTED to join the others in the ward (about 12 beds, but only 7 were occupied). He had the time of his life, laughing with the other patients. . . it was an old WWII hospital, where wide sliding doors led to a central green. Everyday (rain or shine), the janitors would push all the beds out in the central green and clean the ward. . .Never had an infection. . . never had any problem with cleanliness!
My mother came to visit us often while we lived in England (she lived in Belgium) and stayed with us for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. She had very bad varicous veins, and thus developed ulcers on her legs. She was obviously treated regularly (free) in Belgium, but ALSO when she came to visit us in the UK. . .I would drive her to the local National health care clinic every second day, and she would have her deep wound cleaned and bandaged again. . .for free. She was 77 at that time, and was just a VISITOR in England.
You have NO way of knowing what health care is like abroad. . .and if people in England (like your friends) really want to get "private care" instead of national care. . . there are PLENTY of private, small hospital, with private, expensive doctors, that they can pay! Have you (or your friends) ever heard of "Harley Street" in London?
I've been there. . .looks very much like the most expensive doctors office in the US. . . except classier, with REAL antiques and no rush between patients!
You want "personal experience," one of a kind stories. . .I can give you many from Italy, Belgium, England, Portugal, and France.
And it's not from "friends!"