But in this case the NHS went further; they stopped them from seeking private treatment. That’s not allowed under our system. If you can find a way to pay (yourself, insurance, donations, etc.) you can try as much as you want...

I disagree, but fine - it was one of many. I presented another, for instance. I can keep going. There are literally thousands from which to choose in the UK alone!

You make a very convincing argument... /S

Which one am I most like, you think?!? Those guys were pretty funny and successful...

Neither, actually. I just don’t feel it’s someone else’s problem to worry about. I’m responsible for myself and my family.

HAHAHAHA - what a load of shit.

Uh, no, the result would be that a collections agency would attempt to collect and a middle-ground settlement could be reached. Payment would be far from certain.

I’m younger myself (in my early 30s). Grow up and take responsibility for yourself. You can mitigate and account for a lot more than you seem to think...

I was an engineer in the medical industry for several years. I know a significant bit about it and it’s dirty underbelly. I’m not a laymen.

You misunderstand the issue. It’s not that it wasn’t “covered” (or paid for); it wasn’t ALLOWED!

The concern I was more focused on was not that the system wouldn’t pay for it, it was that the treatment wasn’t allowed at all. The gov’t basically took the child away. That’s fucked up.

Precisely. I know you’re being sarcastic, but that’s what it comes down to. There are a lot of sad-sacks out there who are lazy and don’t want to have to take care of themselves...

And?

If anyone you know was denied medically-necessary care in the US, have them find any two-bit lawyer anywhere and start planning how they’re going to spend the load of cash they will be getting very, very soon.

I hate insurance; it’s a scam. Government-run heathcare is even worse. I support personal savings/investment and individual accountability...

How so? You can walk into any ER and get treatment right now. That has absolutely nothing to do with money...

You didn’t need the appointment. That was preventative and precautionary. You should have done your due diligence and found a provider who was in-network or you should have accepted responsibility for the full cost up-front.

When you are young, the chance of you needing any such surgery/treatment is very, very low. You could very easily get a “catastrophic” insurance plan for very little and invest the rest.

If a doctor ever denies you care for your lack of money, you have a very, very easy claim that take all the money they have.

You’re not looking very hard...