So the other day I had my eyes checked and had it proven to me that, indeed, being an academic is ruining my vision. Instead of the super-perfect vision I used to have, my distance vision is beginning to erode away as the need to always be reading (books and the computer screen) is taking over my eyesight. Glasses will be purchased soon for "wearing about". Oh dear... (The question at this point is really which friends here do I trust to take with me???)
But anyway, when I first decided I should get my eyes checked, I was out for coffee with emily. I though, hey, she's English, she might know how this all works here, I might as well ask her! So I progressed:
Me: "How do I go about getting my eyes checked. Do I need to do it through the health centre?"
E: "no, you just go to any of the places about town and make an appointment."
Me: "Is it expensive?"
E: "No, it's free."
Me: "Free?"
E: "Free."
Me: "Do I need my national insurance number or anything?"
E: "No, it's just free.
Me: "Really?"
E: "Yes. Eye exams aren't free in England, but they are in Scotland."
Me: "Really? I mean, I don't need to do anything or prove anything? Like that I live here?"
E: "No, it's free, you just go make an appointment."
And on it went....
Later, after lunch with Kathleen, I hijacked her into going with me to make an appointment at the place emily recommended.
Me: "emily says that eye exams are free......." (leading question)
K: "Yep, they are."
Me: "Really?"
K: "Yep. They didn't used to be, but that changed about 3 or 4 years ago in Scotland. Now they're free for anyone. Speaking of, maybe I should make an appointment..."
Me: "So... free? Like... I could make an appointment at ALL the eye places in town?"
K: "You could... if you really wanted to...."
And so on...
And again, at the eye place:
Receptionist: "Is this your first eye exam?"
Me: "No, I had one done several years ago in the States."
R: "Right... But this is the first one here since they've become free?"
Me: "Yes! (Free?)"
R: "Only in Scotland. England hasn't caught on yet."
Hey, in case you hadn't noticed, eye exams are free here! Of course, you still have to pay for the glasses (soon enough, soon enough), but... FREE! =D
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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9 comments:
And they are MUCH cheaper at the place we went than other places. We should go together... I don't even need a new prescription but my glasses are falling apart.
After reading this I was feeling so motivated to go get my eyes checked, too, until your brother reminded me that we don't live near you. SO Happy for you. (Sad that we won;t see you until Thanksgiving.)
So, just to be clear... It's free?
What's the copay? ;)
Did I mention, eye tests are... free!
Kind of glad to hear you're joining the merry band of bespectacled students... can I come? can I come? (but don't let me buy any!)
Ooh! I think we should have a girly day out. You know, glasses and lunch. The traditional kind of work ethicy day.
So would you support socialist style health care across the pond in the states?
Yay, really free and with no co-pay! =D
It looks like it will be a full-on glasses-picking-out party, with emily, Kathleen, and Verena all accompanying... (whenever it happens!) We shall see what comes of it - I have a feeling there shall be a great deal of laughing and a good bit of sarcasm! =D
As per socialized health care, no, I still wouldn't opt for it in the US. I've seen too many of the negatives of it as well to really have a great deal of confidence that it could be applied well and consistently across the nation. Plus, what people don't usually take into account is the significantly higher taxes European nations pay in order to subsidize these programs, causing a great deal of frustration when the systems don't even work optimally. I think there needs to be further thinking, perhaps about some sort of hybrid...? I agree that something should be done for the poor who cannot afford our way-overpriced-system, but I don't think a straight universal system would work well either. I don't know, really, just blethering -- as I do best!
Take me with you to pick out glasses!!
Yes indeed - free eye exams. My eyes have been so well taken care of since living in Scotland. My teeth, on the other hand...
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