So, no one in those countries became homeless and bankrupt because of an illness and lost their job? I am asking genuinely because I wouldn’t know.
This is hyperbole. Healthcare cost might be covered, but there are a lot more expenses with being sick. Social support and housing support in the UK is laughable. Good luck if you cant work because of disability. The hospital will keep you alive…and then discharge you to the street.
Still better than America though.
Does UK have any social security disability or retirement other than what is relied upon by an employer? Just wondering.
Yeah there are a bunch of benefits you can claim from the government: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check/
Healthcare is also not tied to any job or anything.
True … even here in Canada social systems are not as good as they could be … but imagine trying to access shitty social services AND PAYING FOR MEDICAL SERVICES… or worse being in over your head because of medical debt!
But how is access to medical and mental health treatment and options for it? Is there a ton of variety?
Met a homeless guy once who had had his jaw broken over some change. Even he was able to go to the hospital to get fixed up. It didn’t solve his myriad other problems but at least even he could get that taken care of.
Any system which would have turned him away should be burned to the ground and the people who built said system should have the flesh flayed from their bones, slowly.
No, it’s an exaggaration. According to StreetSmart Australia 14% of people became homeless due to becoming unemployed suddenly
With that said we do have MUCH better social welfare programs here in Australia than the US, though there is always more that could be done
When my dad was diagnosed with late stage prostate cancer they assembled a team for him, got him all the tests and scans and began treatment essentially immediately. Uncle with leukaemia was basically the same experience. He had a bone marrow transplant in addition to all the regular chemo stuff. Total bill came to $0 but they do gouge you for parking. Need a joint replacement? You’re gonna have to wait, but for life and death you get the treatment you need pretty quick
In Japan if you work full time for a larger employer, you pay into “shakai hoken” (societal insurance) this pays you like a third of your salary if you get injured and have to refrain from work for awhile. (This is at least partially paid for by your company because you can only legally be fired in Japan if the company proves beyond a reasonable doubt you were either belligerent or the company couldn’t survive without you)
