NHS Rations Operations

Oliver Wright at The Independent:

Hip replacements, cataract surgery and tonsil removal are among operations now being rationed in a bid to save the NHS money.

Can’t wait for Obamacare.

UPDATE: I just thought it was worth pointing out some of the new rules the UK’s NHS is implementing. This is invariably where single-payer systems lead. The main reason: when something is free, demand goes unchecked. Here’s a nice sample of the new NHS rules:

• Hip and knee replacements only being allowed where patients are in severe pain. Overweight patients will be made to lose weight before being considered for an operation.
• Cataract operations being withheld from patients until their sight problems “substantially” affect their ability to work.
• Patients with varicose veins only being operated on if they are suffering “chronic continuous pain”, ulceration or bleeding.
• Tonsillectomy (removing tonsils) only to be carried out in children if they have had seven bouts of tonsillitis in the previous year.
• Grommets to improve hearing in children only being inserted in “exceptional circumstances” and after monitoring for six months.
• Funding has also been cut in some areas for IVF treatment on the NHS.