Quote Originally Posted by szlamany
(i) In the UK system is there any kind of cost sharing (co-pay) or deductible involved? Do you have 100% of your bill covered with no out-of-pocket expense?

(ii) Why people get 'stuck' in a social-strata position is an age-old question. Education? Entitlement? Drug-abuse? I could go on and list these forever... I live in a densly populated area and have seen (and know) of homeless people, and drug-abusers and again - the list goes on. How far are you willing to help the underacheivers in all parts of your country? Going to pay more taxes to raise them up? Are you willing to have less so those who don't try hard can have more?
(i) In terms of deductible with have a system called National Insurance. This is deducted as part of your tax. It is deducted on the basis of if you earn more you pay more. If you earn less than £4716/yr then you don't pay at all.

(ii) The argument is not about how to help people out of their social position. The argument is about healthcare. Why do you assume that you can only have good healthcare if you have enough money? If you need it in the UK you get it (there will be, I'm sure, some appalling example of where this hasn't happened, but in the majority of cases it holds true)