Are USA hospitals, schools and internet free?
By Desertwind
@Desertwind (32)
Namibia
April 9, 2009 7:34am CST
Hi all US Mylotters. Please can you tell me if the schools, hospital treatment and internet services are free in the USA? I have heard so many people say yes and others no. So I thought I'd ask actual people who live there and have first-hand knowledge. How about the UK? Are they free there?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
9 Apr 09
Schools? No. You can apply for financial aid, grants and loans but colleges and universities aren't free. High schools, middle school and grade schools might be free if they are city schools for residents. Hospital treatment? Most hospitals can't refuse you treatment if you show up at the emergency room but they will hound you for payment if you don't qualify for free / welfare coverage. Internet? There are free WiFi spots at places like coffee shops and libraries but unless you live right next door to them, you will probably have to pay for your internet service.
1 person likes this
@Catfreeek (346)
• United States
9 Apr 09
Public schools are free though some charge a fee for transportation. You can use free computer and internet service at most public libraries and many cafes have wifi service available for people with laptops. Hospitals are not free though there are many free medical clinics throughout the states. Health care is actually very expensive here unless you are on public assistance or have a really great HMO which are getting harder and harder to find.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
9 Apr 09
Public schools are free. Parochial or private are not. College is not free but there is assistance available for those that qualify. Internet is not free but some towns (not mine) are trying it. Hospitals are not free, but the do have to treat you even if you can not afford it, there is assistance available for medical as well.
@Desertwind (32)
• Namibia
9 Apr 09
Thank you for your input so far. At least I'm getting a better idea now of how things work. Here you have to pay your butt off for everything. We do have a state hospital but that is more hazardous to your health than anything, and you have to wait in line for hours on end to get help. If you happen to be there when its tea-time for them, you just have to wait till they come back. Same with lunch-time. If you want proper treatment and don't have medical aid, you have to pay up front otherwise they refuse you.
