Socialized Medicine: British National Health Service Is World’s Best Healthcare System - Guardian/RS

[IronLionZion]

6. NHS is not single payer.

For those who didn't know. It really is socialized medicine over there including government providers and flat pricing on prescription drugs.

However, he warned that the service’s achievements were now at risk. “We should not be complacent as we are facing pressures that are threatening the high-quality care that the Commonwealth Fund has rightly praised. A combination of rising patient demand, staff shortages and falling funding is undermining the very foundations of the NHS, as is the constant short-term interference from politicians of all colours.”

If we ever do finally move forward towards single payer or some other truly universal system, don't think for a second that the fight stops there. Conservatives will ALWAYS cut funding and limit coverage and impose draconian reforms to f it up purely for spite. It's what they do. If you are truly committed to the cause, be prepared to fight on policy against GOP for every single penny and every single treatment option for the rest of your life. Treatment for HIV patients is one example of a completely ridiculous fight the conservatives put up currently in our public health programs. Allowing funding for screenings for many serious illnesses but not treatment is another maddening example. It would be great if we as a country were as politically liberal as the other developed countries wouldn't it?

http://www.pnhp.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_health_care_reform#Green_Mountain_Care