Hi-

I don't take offense and it's interesting to hear your side of it.

My friend is on SSI for Bi-Polar and she does not qualify for the welfare assistance; rather Medicaid - which in this state is a bit different from welfare. She does get her medications for free but there are alot of doctors that won't take her Medicaid. I think I had heard that if a doctor takes Medicare he has to take Medicaid - but I'm not sure of that.

Also, the program for welfare recipients is Neighborhood Health Plan and they just one some award as being the best in the country as far as patient care.

I think there is a HUGE difference between Welfare and Medicaid. My friend couldn't get any help whatsoever when she was first out of work because she never had kids. That burned my butt because she worked for years and paid her taxes and then the government just turned their back on her. It wasn't until she got SSI that the state finally gave her the Medicaid. Also, because she pays her own utilities in subsidized housing, she can get food stamps.

I do appreciate your comments and certainly didn't mean any disrespect to anyone. I'm just really concerned about socialized medicine when I hear so much bad about it.

Still would love to hear from my UK friends!

Tranquility