Poolitics

If you are easily offended please don’t read on.
 
I have just sent back my NHS bowel cancer test sample. Everybody in the UK over the age of 60 has the opportunity of sampling their shit and finding out whether there is blood in it. I’ve done this four times now, thankfully with no results to worry about so far. This year’s sampling equipment has made the whole process a lot easier. Instead of having to take two stool samples each day for three days, there is now a single sample required. I guess the technology has moved on. Thank god for that—or should I say thank god for people who have made it their career to improve looking for blood in shit. I wonder how that becomes a career option? Is it something you just naturally end up doing?
 
Anyway, this is an example of state care. We may all have complaints about the faults of the NHS, but at least we have the NHS. I googled ‘United States bowel cancer testing.’ The first results didn’t detect that I  had requested information on the United States. But there were adverts for tests starting at £49. A further refinement of my search found the following (actually relating to the U.S.):
 
 Most insurance plans and Medicare help pay for colorectal cancer screening for people who are 50 years old or older. Colorectal cancer screening tests may be covered by your health insurance policy without a deductible or co-pay. For more information about Medicare coverage, visit www.medicare.govexternal icon or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1 (877) 486-2048. Check with your insurance plan to find out what benefits are covered for colorectal cancer screening. (emphasis added)
 
So what I have just pooped might have cost £49 in the UK privately, or in the States ‘may be covered by your health insurance policy.’
 
I wonder why we can’t spend another £350 million a week on the NHS. What’s stopping us? Only the desire to be liberated!