British healthcare: the necessary evil

Britons along with Prime Minister Gordon BrownGordon Brown have leapt to the defense of their healthcare service after President Barack Obama's planned to implement a similar system in the United States which Republicans branded as evil.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS), offers free taxpayer-funded medical care to all British residents, while leading politicians have spoken out in support. Republican former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin condemned Obama's plans to introduce a public health insurance scheme as an "evil" move that would result in "death panels" deciding who would live or die. Her criticism has been echoed by fellow Republicans in direct attacks on Britain's NHS. Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich said British healthcare was run by "Orwellian" bureaucrats who put a price tag on life.

Despite the support, the 51-year-old NHS is regularly the target of criticism at home, with opposition politicians accusing Brown's government of mismanagement resulting in long waiting lists and a "lottery" in deciding who gets life-saving drugs and surgery.

Public opinion on this issue depends a lot on which end of the bargain we are looking at. Anyone who has to shoulder the burden of additional medical bills they never consumed are all too ready to cry "Not on my dime!" Who wouldn’t be considering the recession? At the same time, people whose lives hang on the balance and the new healthcare plan is their only hope are heaving an "Alleluja."