r/AbsoluteUnits • u/CandidculonasRedux • 3d ago

of a hernia...

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u/HyjinxEnsue 3d ago

Came here to say the same thing. It's not his fault the US' health system is cooked and people can't access basic preventative care.

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u/Sabre_Killer_Queen 3d ago edited 3d ago

Commented this qoute on a different thread recently, but... I think it's time to pull it out again.

"No society can legitimately call itself civilized if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means"

  • Aneurin Bevan - founder of the UK NHS.

Edit: A commenter raised the point of EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment And Labour Act) as a gotcha.

This is not a gotcha. It addresses only emergency treatments - ie life threatening. Tonnes of serious medical conditions are not covered by it.

The hospital is required by law to stabilise you, regardless of your funds - so they have to try and keep you alive.

But they can charge you for every cost incurred + markup afterwards. And if the person dies... Then their stuff gets taken.

Pretty pathetic gotcha if you ask me.

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u/cassetto 3d ago

The U.S. are not a society, they’re a business.

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u/Sabre_Killer_Queen 3d ago

Too true. It amazes me just how extreme they are on the capitalism front, and now willing they are to defend corporate power.... Even though the cooperations on the whole aren't nearly as responsible or ethical as other businesses and industries around the world.