[Marilyn]

Actually, for reasonably healthy middle aged people, I think we probably pay less for healthcare in the US than you do in the UK. If we have some type of minor surgery or something during the year, we probably pay about the same after our deductables and copays. And we don't have the waits that we hear you do to see a doctor or have an operation.

I need carpal tunnel surgery, according to my doctors. If I call for an appointment tomorrow, I will probably get to see a very qualified surgeon of my choosing within a couple of weeks, and the surgery can probably be scheduled within a few days of seeing the doctor. If I use a doctor that is "in network" (on contract with my insurance carrier) the cost will not be very much at all.

If you needed carpal tunnel surgery, what could you expect to have happen in the UK?

By the way, I may actually make that phone call tomorrow just to see how it goes and report back on this thread. We'll see if the senerio described above is actually accurate, and what the cost actually is.

This is very interesting. Thank you for replying, Highlans!! It is wonderful to actually get to communicate with someone who is living with Nationalized Healthcare since they are talking about putting us on a similiar system.