UK vs US Health Care Options

Riding to work today, I heard this alarming piece from NPR comparing the health care options for a patient with MS in England to a patient with MS in the U.S.

Here are the highlights. Although the UK patient waited a few weeks to see a specialist for her chronic illness, once she got into see the doctor, it was instant feedback from tests on therapy options, drugs, etc. Within months, the UK patient was on medicine and under physician supervision all paid for through the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The only expense is 30 pounds, out-of-pocket each month for physical therapy. This patient was even reimbursed 5,000 pounds for the minimal amount of time she did have to pay-out-of-pocket for some of her medication while the government waited to see the results of the drugs on a population of patients.

The US patient with MS, meanwhile, had to leave his job, lost his health insurance, has two children, a wife and a re-possessed home. He and his family now rent, filed bankruptcy and try to live off of his wife's new health insurance. This patient filed for Medicare two years ago - but it take two years to be approved in the US. He will not receive reimbursement until December 2009.

The US has the best health care system in the world? Not likely.