Blue Dev recently had an article on health care.  He asked the question "Just because we can, does that mean we should?". http://bluedev.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=94612 And after a few comments traded back and forth, I came to agree with him some what, with the big exception that I would never want to be the one making the decision.

Now comes a report from Jolly old England, where the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is telling their version of Health care that perhaps the Smokers, Drinkers, or Obese should not receive treatment since "they brought it upon themselves".

While I agree that smokers know the risks and should accept the responsibility of their actions, the same is not always true with Obese (the definition of which is constantly changing), and many people have opined, or theorized or just plain stated that Alcoholism is a disease, not a choice.

I find it very disturbing that someone, not knowing me from Adam, is going to make a decision based upon what?  Lung cancer?  Non Smokers get it.  Cirrhosis of the Liver?  It can be caused by some diseases.  Obesity?  Many people with thyroid problems are over weight, not by choice.

That they are even discussing it is disturbing.  For while they pick those 3 items out now, what is the next step?  The clearly state that treatment should not be denied based upon age.  For now.  But what is to prevent them from denying it is the future?  After all, age is something almost everyone suffers from eventually, and it is self inflicted (some just kill themselves before it gets too progressed - so are they now the good patients?).

This is a very bad idea, and one of the prime reasons I do not like socialized Medicine.  For when the government takes it over, health care stops being unlimited, and starts being budgeted.  And so, as to not exceed the budget, some in England are talking about rationing it.  Like all government programs.

Today, smoke, drink and eat, and you lose health care.  Tomorrow, sky dive?  Sorry, your life style is too risky.  You are no longer covered.  What a brave new world we are creating for ourselves.