The NHS

To: Barack Obama
From: An American Expat in London (and the side of a hill in Italy)

Please stay with health-care reform, Barack. I beg you.
It's such a worthy goal.
I'm not convinced you'll be able to really change anything in the States -- the forces against you are so rich and powerful -- but please just keep trying. For all of us. Please.
If you've got a minute (I know you don't, but what the hell), can I tell you my nothing health-care story?
I went to my first appointment with my National Health Service doctor here in London this morning.
It was a delight, Barack. Such a difference from back home, in so many little, but important, ways.
Although I signed my husband and I on with an NHS doctor walking distance to us just as soon as we got here (had to so I could get coverage for us back in the States under my retirement plan if we decide to go back), I hadn't needed to actually go to the doctor yet.
I mean, I guess I could've gone, seeing as I had the swine flu and all, but that was in Italy (although it lingered on) and I'm not a huge run-to-the-doctor type. Especially for the flu.
And I was a good girl, Mr. President.
I had a lot of routine tests with my doctors in the States before I left. So I wouldn't have to go right away here.
But I do have a condition that needs monitoring once every six months to a year or so, so it was time.
First difference: I used to go to a specialist in the States for this routine monitoring -- an endocrinologist -- which I knew even then I didn't need to see. And first, before seeing the specialist I didn't really need anymore, I had to go to a lab to have blood drawn in a completely different place from my doctor -- and then to my endocrinologist afterwards.
This used to cost me a bit in co-pays -- about $50 -- even though we had two insurance policies through our employers.
But it really used to cost my insurance company quite a bit. I saw it on the bills.
Here, I just went to the regular GP. She said I can just have my blood drawn there.
And I don't need to see an endocrinologist now.
We save our specialists for when there's something wrong, she said, when there's something to treat.
Boy did that make sense.
It was all really straight-forward -- and friendly -- and efficient.
She was an Indian woman, about my age. Really warm.
I liked her a lot.
Good job, since she's my doctor.
She wrote me a prescription for something I used to take in the States.
It wasn't covered on my insurance, so I used to pay for it there -- and it was really expensive.
Here, it was £7 for two months worth.
I told her quickly about my husband, who had a life-threatening illness six years ago.
He had a full scan before we left the States, again so we wouldn't have to immediately get one here. His doctor in the States said he wouldn't be checking him again for a year there either.
So soon, it'll be time for him to go in as well.
Bring all the medical records with you, she said.
Yeah, will do.
Nice warm smile.
So far, so good.
Barack, I know our medical system is cutting-edge. I saw that when my husband was sick. I appreciate that so much. And I was so afraid to leave it, precisely because of my husband's illness.
But it's all just so expensive at home -- and so inefficient really. And lining pockets that don't need lining.
I know we can do better than that, Barack.
And I know you know that too.