Seems Like This British Couple Are Not As Fortunate In Other Countries, As Those Foreign Nationals Who Travel To These Shores Are.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2893384/British-couple-stranded-New-York-130-000-medical-bill-baby-son-born-11-weeks-prematurely.html

[ummmm]

Because the USA don't have a national health service.

[anotheoldgit]

And isn't it our National Service, not the World's?

[Mamyalynne]

The story seems a little previous to me, their Insurance Company have not yet said they are not covered.

[jim360]

Does this mean that you think it a good thing that this British couple have to pay so much to cover the bill for their baby's birth?

[New Judge]

Quite so. It is a National Health Service, not an International Health Service.

It always amuses me that one of the main excuses for failing to collect payment from patients not entitled to free treatment is that it would be impractical and cumbersome. But just about every other nation with health facilities manages to do just that, so we should send a few NHS bosses on "fact finding missions" elsewhere to find out just how it's done.

[New Judge]

It's not about whether or not it's a good thing, jim.

The fact is that if these individuals or their insurers do not pay the bill the costs will fall upon the establishments that provided the service. Is this a good thing? As a customer or a shareholder I would be a bit miffed. Even if the US had a state funded health system like ours it would still be wrong if non-residents were provided with such lavish facilities and here, I think, lies the nub of the problem. Many people in the UK take the view that "the government" should pay for things such as this when what they really mean ("the government" having no funds to call its own) is that the taxpayer must pick up the tab. Personally I do not pay my taxes to pay for free health treatment for anybody who lands on these shores, however unfortunate the circumstances in which they find themselves. If this had happened to a couple from the US visiting the UK there is no question that all the treatment needed would have been provided free of charge.

That would make some people feel proud. It would make me feel like a mug who had been taken for a very expensive ride.

[ToraToraTora]

yes it's bad that we treat foriegners judge but the alternative is too terrible to contemplate.

[THEMOTLEY1]

The fact they have gone public with the fundraising seems to me to be a great incentive for the Insurance Company to try and reduce their liability.

[THEMOTLEY1]

//That would make some people feel proud. It would make me feel like a mug who had been taken for a very expensive ride//
Well said NJ.

[Canary42]

Scraping the barrel again to run down this fine country of ours.

[jourdain2]

It's not difficult to collect money from patients, here. When I go to see my GP I hand over 23 euros directly to her. It is reimbursed by my 'basse' social security (c. 60%) and my 'complementaire' policy. The 'comp' is becoming onerous at 74 euros a month, but I don't have to have it. OH doesn't, because big things like heart and cancer are covered 100% by the state, but I need regular physio., which would add up.

When OH's son, visiting, had a heart attack, the hospital checked that he had insurance as a matter of course once he arrived (by air ambulance!) They would have treated him anyway, but they knew where to send the bill.

[THEMOTLEY1]

//Scraping the barrel again to run down this fine country of ours.//
Are you an American Canary then?

[ummmm]

The NHS do chase money. It's not just poor foreigners that fall ill in the UK.

[Mosaic]

Can't see what the fuss is about. Firstly the couple chose to visit the US so must surely have taken out health insurance. Secondly they chose to do this in the last trimester of pregnancy. The world isn't some kind of theme park where no harm can befall you.

[ummmm]

Yes Mosaic but you're considered safe to travel at her point in pregnancy.

[THEMOTLEY1]

Mosaic did you read the link?
//They say they are yet to find out if the huge bill for their treatment will be covered by their travel insurance policy.//
// The couple now fear their insurance policy may not cover the full cost of their stay, although they confirmed Miss Amos had been told she would be covered to fly to abroad.//

[Gromit]

The insurance company will have asked for medical information before selling them a policy. If the Insurance Company knew she was pregnant before selling her a policy, then they must pay. If they were not told she was pregnant, then the policy may be void.