August 21, 2009
The health care debate in America has prompted a lot of stories about Britain’s nationalized health system: the NHS.
45,000 NHS workers call in sick each day. That’s one and one-half times the rate of absence seen in the private sector. A survey also found high rates of obesity, smoking and poor mental health, effecting patient care.
40,000 NHS workers smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. And more than a third of the 1.4 million workers have moderate to very poor mental health.
Maybe that’s why they don’t recognize Alzheimer’s patients as a health problem. One British family was told by the NHS it would not pay for the care of a 74-year-old because her condition was a “social illness.” The family has now been awarded 130,000 pounds by the health service ombudsman after being forced to sell her 200,000 pound home to pay for care fees.
You have to watch politicians; in the name of helping you they can ultimately hurt or even kill you, especially when it comes to your health.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
