Under the British model, which Hentoff seems to find scary, the authorities have- in a few cases- refused to pay for very expensive drugs that might prolong (but not save) the lives of terminally ill patients. These decisions are always controversial- and in some cases (I can't cite examples) I believe the subsequent debate has caused the decision to be reversed. No-one has been pushing for euthanasia.
And, of course, the British system doesn't preclude people buying private health insurance, or paying for very expensive treatments out of their own pockets.
I've lived under the NHS all my life- and found it largely benign.
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Date: 2009-08-19 03:16 pm (UTC)And, of course, the British system doesn't preclude people buying private health insurance, or paying for very expensive treatments out of their own pockets.
I've lived under the NHS all my life- and found it largely benign.