This letter to the editor was in our local paper today - I thought it would be worth sharing.
Eye-opening ER
This is in reference to your editorial "Fading Fast: Neglect of U.S. Health Care Takes Its Toll" (Aug. 20). On a trip to England in June, my wife developed a serious infection. We went to an emergency room in London that was packed. We almost went home because we thought we would be there for hours. Forty-five minutes later my wife, Judy, was seen by two physicians who consulted two other physicians. An hour and a half into our ER stay, Judy walked out of the examination room with a diagnosis and a prescription for medication. We were met with incredulous chuckles when we asked where we should pay for her treatment. "No one pays for emergency treatment in the U.K.," we were told by a smiling young nurse.
We were then directed to walk down a hall to get Judy's meds. Ten minutes later she received them. This time when she inquired as to the price of the meds she was told that no one over 60 pays for medication in the United Kingdom.
We were overjoyed by this wonderful treatment: Two hours after we arrived, my wife had received excellent medical care and medication all for no charge. We didn't have to worry about pre-approval, submitting claims or arguing with our providers about coverage.
We were not only embarrassed that our country doesn't provide such treatment, but angry at its failure to do so.
