Another question about England

[intrepid]

I've been told that health insurance can be purchased in the UK. If so, why would it be if healthcare is covered by the government?

My only knowledge of the English healthcare system is a pretty funny bit in which Mr. Bean goes to hospital and tries to get a lower number so that he can be treated sooner.

Thanks...

 

[Dale]

There are also non-government doctors and hospitals in the UK.

 

[kurabrhm]

I've been told that health insurance can be purchased in the UK. If so, why would it be if healthcare is covered by the government?

My only knowledge of the English healthcare system is a pretty funny bit in which Mr. Bean goes to hospital and tries to get a lower number so that he can be treated sooner.

Thanks...

In the UK we have both private and government health care. the vast majority of people use the government funded national health service. However, people who have higher than average incomes do opt for private health care since private offers a more specialist service and the doctors who practise in private health care are better than average.
Its pretty clear in any case that the British health care system is way better than the US medicare system.

Now here comes the POLITICS bit - - - -
President Bush has only helped to make the US system worse.
By contrast, in the UK, there's always debate as to how we can improve the health service. There's a real concern here to provide an excellent service and it stems really from the minority of wealthy British people who care about social justice. Health care is obviously the best way of providing social justice. And so there's talks about such things like foundation hospitals for one thing. Another thing, Tony Blair saying he's pumping more money into the NHS and also pointing out on a constant basis how waiting lists have come down etc etc...