David August ❌👑Feb 21
#USpol #Norway #taxes #tax
Show threadAudelle Hinnant
@davidaugust
I don't think people understand the idea of free Healthcare. Yes, paying for it in taxes, means it's not free. However, paying for it in taxes means, I don't have to go six years without glasses because I can't afford the exam. It means if my glasses break today, I can go to get an exam, get my prescription and go to get my glasses without taking from my food, rent, and clothing.
Not sure about glasses outside of the US, is that a separate charge?
Feb 21 at 5:32amMastodon for Android
Show threadMelancholic Mediocrity Feb 21

@faliate
I average about 8 or 9 years per set of eyeglasses.

@davidaugust

Show threadDerPumu (he/him)Feb 21
@LibertyForward1 @faliate @davidaugust that may not last forever. At a certain age you might benefit from new glasses every 2-4 years
Show threadMelancholic Mediocrity Feb 21
@DerPumu @faliate @davidaugust I would love to replace them that often, but I'm generally only able to scrape enough money together every decade or so
Show threadAudelle HinnantFeb 21
@LibertyForward1 @DerPumu @davidaugust
Right. My glasses broke six years ago, I cannot afford an exam, nor have the funds to get one.
If taxes go towards medical expenses, it should extend to the nearly blind as well. The longer we go without glasses the worse our eyes get. I know that is impossible in the US. However, for the countries that do have a universal health care, maybe petitioning the government departments that run these programmes and asking them to extend the medical benefits?
Show threadDerPumu (he/him)Feb 22
@faliate @LibertyForward1 @davidaugust in many countries glasses are part of "free" health care. Here in Germany it's covered by the mandatory health insurance.
To be precise, that's not taxes going towards medical, over here, taxes are separate from health insurance, so politicians can't line their industrial friends' pockets with that money.
Show threadAudelle HinnantFeb 22
@DerPumu @LibertyForward1 @davidaugust
Oh wow okay! That's amazing!
Show threadMiha MarkičFeb 21
@faliate @davidaugust In my country exams are free and glasses and lenses are subsidized.
Show threadnickaposFeb 21
@mihamarkic @faliate @davidaugust Eye tests are free in Scotland and NHS advises people to have one every 2 years.
Similarly dentist check ups cost less than 10£ with an X-ray and polish and they are also scheduled at least once per year via NHS. You can of course go in at any time if there is an emergency
Show threadMiha MarkičFeb 21
@nickapos @faliate @davidaugust Free dentists checks and care over here in Slovenia including x rays.
Show thread 🇨🇦 CowMan 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🇲🇽Feb 21
@faliate @davidaugust Optical, dental, prescriptions are not covered in Canada. Well, not universally covered.
Show threadYsegrimFeb 21
@faliate @davidaugust In Germany, though examination by an ophthalmologist is free, glasses are usually not covered, except if you're practically blind without them.
Show threadAudelle HinnantFeb 21
@ysegrim @davidaugust
This is why I wish my grandparents never left Germany. Also, one of the reasons why I want to migrate back to Germany. Besides the culture and food, there are many great things about Germany.