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?ALL medication is free for those with lifetime conditions - WHY

  1. If there were free prescriptions for all then this discussion would be redundant. The argument that there can't be free prescriptions for all due to there being only a limited fiscal pot of resources is based on the premise that money is real, limited and intrinsically valuable but this is not the reality, money today is not real, limited or intrinsically valuable it is what's called Fiat Money and it is arguably the basis (hand in hand with Fractional Reserve Banking) of the biggest fraud in human history (but that's another story)... It is estimated that the UK as a whole (taking into account all debt, Government and Personal) is £2.25 Trillions in debt, given such levels of debt £500 Millions or even £1 Billion here or there is a drop in the ocean, if the Bank of England can create £300 Billions plus out of thin air (such as in it's Quantitative Easing strategy) or our Government can pledge £10 Billions to the IMF to help save the World then it's just a administrative / policy matter to allow free prescriptions for all within the UK.

    I thank you :D

  2. OMG! My brain capacity cannot take in all you've said.

    Middle England I am not, but I might have been considered to be when I had 40 staff. Life, health, economy, the world, & earning capacity change. I have been poor on a couple

    of occasions in my life & I never ever forget my roots--it's what made me what I am.

    I've lived long enough to remember when all prescriptions were free, then a small charge was incurred & grew. My Father was in his 40's when I was born & I have been brought up to tales of pre-NHS.

    My Mother lost her 15 year old Brother, who died because they couldn't afford a Doctor--he had stood on a

    rusty nail & antibiotics would have saved him. It was not possible as they couldn't afford it.

    I am aware about the current economic state of this country, NHS, world--probably more than most as I have the time.

    You make assumptions about my wealth etc. Just because I've been self employed, had 40 staff, doesn't mean I'm rolling in it. I have been in most positions in life & can see life from all directions. It's the only thing about being my age I value.

    Thanks for your input--I will still take my free prescriptions to stop my diminishing savings going down any further.

  3. I could be swayed into accepting some level of means testing regarding free prescription eligibility smile

  4. I think all the uk should have the same, regardless of what it is & I think chronic condtions should be free anyway.

    It's only recent that cancer patients have free prescriptions. A friend of mine had to pay for all her anti-cancer meds. She had to travel a long way for treatment, costing her a fortune & she had to leave her job as she couldn't cope with her job, the sickness & having to look after her young Son.

    She's certainly not well off, but fortunately has made a full recovery. Unfortunately, the cancer is genetic & her Son is now suffering with it--it's back for the 3rd time with him. :-(

  5. Prescriptions are means tested.

    I have said all along those with lifetime conditions should get free presceiptions for their condition and associated illnesses. I would agree those with chronic conditions should also get free drugs.

    I cannot agree that if you can afford prescriptions for things not associated with your condition you should get them free while others pay. If you have been poor in your life you should appreciate that those people are more in need of free prescriptions than someone who has money - and if you have savings you have money.

    Yes in an ideal society everyone would get free meds. House - if you want to turn this into a discussion about society and ideology there are political forums out there. Have you read much Foucault?

  6. Apologies for typos the buttons on my phone are small. Sometimes I miss the old chunky ones.

  7. This could have taken some time but instead I'll simply cut to the chase. It is my humble opinion that what you propose is in fact unworkable smile

  8. Woah - I didn't propose anything....

    I said it would be nice if we all got free prescriptions but I conceded it is an unrealistic ideal.

    Other than that my point is.... there is already provision for low income people to get free prescriptions.

    I have no problem with people who are chronically ill or who have lifetime conditions getting medication for their conditions or illnesses that arise from them.

    I object to them getting free medication for non-related medications.

  9. Of course you are proposing something, I'm merely saying that when you fully realise it into writing it'll actually be unworkable cheesygrin This is not saying you are wrong. I can see the injustice in the state of affairs you are complaining about smile Prove me wrong, loosely outline the administrative process that would be required to rectify this discrepancy ???

  10. A GP has to write a prescription there could be a simple tick box to indicate that prescription should be free due to chronic illness or it being a lifetime condition.

    If the prescription isn't ticked there the person pays (unless some other factor applies).

    So it would require a box on a prescription....

  11. I'm curious why you choose to masquerade as a fictional character?

  12. I see, interesting. How would this scheme take into account the savings of the patient, do you advocate that GPs should have access to bank records ??? smile

  13. He's not doing anything I'm not--my name isn't DLTapped I can assure you. His just happenes to be about a series, mine's a short version of a saying that originated in India.

    I was watching Jezza Kyle this morning--I do most days as I like to see how people live. Oh & don't think it's all staged. I know someone who works as a therapist on there & believe me it's real.

    A young man came onto the show with his pregnant girlfriend. She was insanely jealous to the point of him packing in his job to be with her all the time. She won't let him out of her sight & was complaining that he gets aroused whilst out with her at the sight of an attractive woman.

    He made himself poor. Now both of them are on state benefits (she actually stated if he went out to work again, then so would she & that would mean meeting blokes etc etc etc). There are many like them who make themselves in this situation & similar. Absolutely pathetic & it shouldn't be allowed.

    Why should I make the decison to save & then have to spend it on medication when people like them get it for nothing?

    My good friend Mike started with a serious heart & lung condition at the age of 57. His medication for this condition started at 50 grand a year--it will be more now (that was 10 years ago). He has money--a considerable amount of money. He managed to continue to work for a couple of years, reducing his hours until he finished altogether.

    Should he have paid for this treatment because he had money? He most likely would have been able to afford it for a few years--possibly even now. I don't know how much money he has, but I know he's well off. His house is worth about 750 grand too. Should he have had to downsize & pay?

    House is right--it would be difficult if not impossible to do what you suggest. It would also cost more than it would save to set up.

    The money that goes to people with Thyroid disfunction is a drop in the ocean. The huge drain on this country by people who're like the Jezza Kyle case above, the waste of money by the NHS (look how many millions they wasted on a computer system that failed), darned Government swapping & changing power, policies--not to mention the money wasted on a war we shouldn't be involved in.

    I've had nothing, but never did I whinge about people who had something--I did something about it. When I had a fair bit--I paid a whacking great amount of tax of various types + capital gains when I sold the business. Tax tax tax tax tax--all the way.

    My Husband accrued his own pension from his income, which he paid tax on. He now pays tax on his pension. I sold my business & invested it for my future--my pension.

    So--the layabouts of society get all found & people like me have to pay for everything until they have nowt left. Lovely! Oh & if I ever need 24 hr care--for sure we'll have to pay until the money, house & they can now look into your valuables (family heirlooms etc) to fund your care. Right down to around 20 grand.

    Well--you think like this now, but I bet you won't once you've got on in life--and you will. I also bet your partner will continue to take his free prescriptions once he gets a decent job.

    To be honest Ellie, you would be better off picking up another cause to wave your banner for. I still work, but as a volunteer now. I do it online for a charity I have passion about. You seem to think I'm out of touch about poor people/less well off. I am not. Part of my work is supporting people who suffer from a mostly invisible illness. People who suffer with this condition & there are many conditions like this are being penalised by the new benefits system for disability/sickness.

    The Jezza Kyle brigade can get money, but people with illness/disability where the symptoms fluctuate or are hard to define are being denied benefits or are having to fight until they are at their wits end to get them. Believe me--it is terrible.

    Actually, one of the suffe

  14. House - people who are on low income can already apply through the NHS for an exemption card. If they had that card then if a GP ticked that they have to pay they wouldn't.

    DLTapped - I agree about scroungers. But there are genuine people out there.

    As I said a few times before this isn't my 'cause' its just something I've only just become aware of. Please, please check posts before you make statements like that. It shows you up.

    I've also said I have no arguments about people getting meds for things to do with their lifetime condition - AGAIN please check previous posts

    If they communicate with their GP about what is wrong and why they needs meds it might work - not perfectly - nothing ever does.

    I can't agree with what you want to do but you don't need to answer to me, only your own conscience. You're complaining about having to pay for something when you have savings in the bank.

    Likewise my partner will make his own decision but he knows my opinion.

    We're not going to agree on this. I'm not sure why you feel the need to tell me so much self-congratulatory stuff but i'm sure it makes you feel better or helps you feel you've proved

    I could bang on about good things I do, or how much my parents worked/gave up but that's not what this discussion is about.

    I'm sorry you've misunderstood. I hope you get to keep hold of your heirlooms instead of selling them to be able to look after yourself. I know how important material possessions are in contrast to health and care. wink

    Yes the government waste money all over the shop - this is one of the ways - not the biggest I concede.

  15. does that mean i can have free scrips i have had over active thyroid over a year now and i still pay for my pills

  16. Yes you should be able to get all prescriptions free. Ask your pharmacist about it.

  17. Ellie,

    I missed your comment, probably due to the fact I had quite a bit to do at the time.

    My bees were more interesting than my computer at the time of your post. I think you have too much time on your hands to read into what you think the sort of person I am.

    I'd get a life if I was you.

    Jea--get to your Doctor & ask for a form to be completed & send it off. I get mine free until next year, when I shall be applying for another. I hope you get a rebate too, but I doubt it.

  18. Wow resurrecting an argument that finished 2 months ago and I need to get a life? Pot, kettle, black m'dear.

    PS: good on you for keeping bees and helping them. I only wish I had time for such hobbies

  19. Try living in the Irish Republic.

    In Ireland, those not on a Medical Card (see below) or registered with the Long term Illness Scheme must go through the Drugs Payment Scheme.

    Pharmacies here charge, for each item: cost price + 100% mark-up + €7 dispensing fee.

    You pay in full, up to a maximum of €132 per month (it was €120 but they put it up last budget - a tax on the sick).

    A visit to the GP costs between €50 and €60.

    Those with a means-tested medical card (about 30% of population) get free GP visits, free prescriptions and appliances.

    Those on the Long-Term Illness scheme get free prescriptions and appliances. Free GP visits are to be introduced. But only 15 illnesses and conditions are covered by this. For example, these do not include any kind of mental illness (for the over-16s) or asthma. Diabetes has only just been added to the list.

    The result is that people who fall just above the income threshold for the medical card are almost certainly struggling to make ends meet. Even those on 'relatively good incomes' may be struggling thanks to current ecomomic conditions. As a result, some people are missing routine GP appointments and not taking regular medication. They have little choice.

    In the longer term this will cost the health services more because more people will present with acute or more severe illnesses at hospitals. Indeed, this is already starting to happen and is contributing to the current crisis in Anad E departments.

    Providing good primary care and careful management of long-term conditions could be part of the reasoning behind providing free medication for long-term illnesses in the UK.

  20. Ellie--remember I can't hold down a job these days (not on benefits). Hubby does all the heavy stuff with the bees. However I still have a brain (well, when the condition I have doesn't duck with it) & I do what I can, when I can. So I do have time to make comments when I can do little else. You're obviously young, healthy & should have a life. No way would I be on here at all if I was your age & fit.

    I am doing it for environment reasons & economic reasons--however the weather's put a dampener on any profit for this year. In fact it's beggar'd up my hives, so I'm having to import queen bees as they're sturdier than the ones I have & less swarmy.

    Anona (lovely name btw)--thanks for making your comment. We don't always appreciate the benefits we have in this country--our health service is not always perfect, but most of it is free to us.

    As I have said in a previous post--I have a friend who would probably be broke & dead now as the NHS have funded his 50 grand medication per year to keep him alive.

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