The phrase 'tipping point' has been flogged nearly to death in the media, both old and new lately. Every event these days, it seems, is called a tipping point by someone for whatever reason. The popularity is tied to this book by Malcolm Gladwell. He defines a tipping point as ""the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable." I won't use that to describe the article from today's Telegraph. Instead I'll call it a slipping point, defined as that point when the slippery slope becomes a reality and a society begins the long slide.
Don't treat the old and unhealthy, say doctors
Doctors are calling for NHS treatment to be withheld from patients who are too old or who lead unhealthy lives.
Smokers, heavy drinkers, the obese and the elderly should be barred from receiving some operations, according to doctors, with most saying the health service cannot afford to provide free care to everyone.
Fertility treatment and "social" abortions are also on the list of procedures that many doctors say should not be funded by the state.
The findings of a survey conducted by Doctor magazine sparked a fierce row last night, with the British Medical Association and campaign groups describing the recommendations from family and hospital doctors as "outrageous" and "disgraceful".
About one in 10 hospitals already deny some surgery to obese patients and smokers, with restrictions most common in hospitals battling debt.
Managers defend the policies because of the higher risk of complications on the operating table for unfit patients. But critics believe that patients are being denied care simply to save money.
It is an ugly article, with much sanctimony on the part of proponents of the death by government neglect approach. define a set of unapproved lifestyle choices – such as getting old, you'll notice - and deny them services to save money. This is the logical destination that socialized medicine ends at. Or rather there is one more step which is not far off now. That's when they begin getting rid of the outcast and the elderly outright.
I expect that day will arrive rather quickly. Still think letting the government be in charge of health care is a good idea?
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The Government is in charge of the elderly’s health care here. Those questions will be asked here as well.
So it turns out that the Central State isn’t the frictionless perpetual motion machine our illusionist politicians like to pretend it is, and now those politically unpopular will be defenestrated accordingly. Any wagers on whether people here will wake up to the realities of the procrustean bed of government health care before it’s too late?
Me, I’m much more comfortable relying on the tender mercies of private providers than a monolithic Leviathan.
Scary.
Canada Free Press has an article titled, “Alfred must die so that Mahmoud may live”. Sounds like euthanasia is already happening in England. http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/1450
The interesting thing is that Britain is one of the countries that proponents of universal health care point to as a shining example. I guess the joke is on them!
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