I'm just completely bewildered by the american health care industry/system. I can't fathom it and I can't understand why people aren't even angrier about it. Where I'm from people are complaining about waiting times and some extra costs that aren't covered by the insurance company. Like when you want the nicer material for your filling at the dentist's. I think if any party seriously advocated for abolishing the public health care system and took steps to ensuring this goal, there would be mayhem. Probably burning cars on the streets, may day style. And the party would very likely get wiped out in the next elections.

As long as I have discussions on various forums with Americans that say healthcare isn't a human right and they're not going to pay for someone else's hospital bills, America will be stuck with a very expensive and very inefficient healtcare system that's based on greed from the pharmaceutical industry and the hospitals.

I am devastated because this year (because of my cancer diagnosis), I met my deductable and my insurance covers me 100% til the end of the year. But I have been told that some doctors "May Not" see me anymore until the past due bills are paid, even though future bills will be paid 100%. I have tried to consolidate and make an "affordable to me" payment plan, which they all have denied. Some bills are already on my credit report in collections and my credit score that I have worked hard to get to only 620, has now tanked once again!!! Between last year and this year, both of my deductibles and bills total over $13,000. My only recourse is finding new doctors and networks (after I have already established new ones in the last 2 months) who will take me in and actually get paid 100% by my insurance. Then the entire process will start all over again January 1. Moral of the story.... don't have any costly injuries or illnesses you cannot afford to pay for!!! SMDH

I was in the US on holiday once. Had an accident, went to the ER with blood everywhere from a wound in my thigh. Large enough to need stitches, but nothing life threatening. Had to sit there bleeding until they spoke to my Dutch insurance. Then I got stitches, cleaned up, everything. They asked me if I needed a private room to recuperate or did I need a therapist to work through the trauma? I figured they got a carte blanche from my insurance. Needless to say I didn't need any extra care, I just wanted stitches. Crazy system.

America, America... What can I say? Even in South Africa the government health care in the metropoles aren't THAT bad...

I live in Denmark. I had an episode where i did a number 2 and there was some blood. Called the doctor and was called in for examination. She did a basic examination and said: “I can’t find anything wrong, but I want to have you tested for colon-cancer. I will make an appointment for you at the cancer-department; they will contact you soon. Don’t be alarmed: this is normal procedure” 3 hours later, a nurse calls and says “there’s room for you tommorow; will you come here ?” I came and had a full examination including scans - and it was free of charge.

Sounds like it'd be cheaper and faster to just fly to Iceland to have any important medical exam/procedure done. Makes me ill. I live in one of the wealthiest, most advanced countries in the world, and I'm worried sick (pardon the pun) of having some major, and minor, medical problems -- and I have insurance. For-profit healthcare should be outlawed but that will never even happen in my country.

I’m so glad that I live in Australia. Whilst our health system isn’t perfect it is far better than the US. I had breast reductions done under the public system and I waited 2 years (wasn’t urgent surgery) but I only paid $165. I have had 2 babies at hospital, 1 ectopic with emergency surgery, blood transfusion and 4 day hospital stay, Numerous emergency visits, MRIs, Ultrasounds, x-rays, cortisone injections and much more and haven’t had to pay anything. My friend just had brain surgery and again no cost to her.

Here's 1 day in my fancy state-run clinic in Moscow before my long trip to Canada (hence the rush) - all in the same building, 11 floors. I did 3 teeth, an MRI in the basement for my neck and right after had a follow-up treatment with my orthopedist, visited a GP due to high intracranial pressure (I had another MRI scan with me from a year ago) who sent me to an endocrinologist and neurologist. The former asked to come back the following morning for blood work for hormones (it had to be on empty stomach), while the latter sent me to do angiography (same floor) and personally asked them to see me because it's a long procedure and the clinic was closing in 30 min (8 pm). I came back at 8:20 and she was still waiting for me with her assistant! Every single person was so helpful! My hernia shank from 7 mm to 4 mm and doesn't bother me anymore (would have to do a surgery in the US). ZERO co-payment! Only had to pay ~$12 for my meds in their pharmacy.

This is what Americans are so afraid of. I just don't get it. I used to think they were afraid universal healthcare will make them communists, but now they are in bed with Putin, and they don't mind at all.

I pay my taxes here in the UK, I am happy to so and I am proud of the NHS. I worked for them for a time, my mother was a Radiographer, I have a cousin, two aunts and a sister-in-law that work for them still. I have: broken my wrist, broken my leg in two places, had pancreatitis, had cervical cancer, have had surgery for a slipped disc: with the follow up physio - and had the most wonderful care and treated well and not had to pay. I do pay for my prescriptions (its £9.00) and I top up every three months. To think that I would not have been able to have that treatment if I had no money, is so distressing. My mums had cancer (thankfully well now and but it was utterly horrific and I cannot fault the NHS and Macmillan nurses), dad's got ongoing health issues including loads of non-malignant melanomas that keep needing treatment. My sisters have all had kids - nothing to pay. The thousands of dollars you have to pay in the States is shocking. We are so very lucky to have the NHS.