Death Panels...Remember Those?

Well, the idea of health care rationing seems to have a new life.
President Obama has chosen Dr. Donald Berwick as director for Medicare and Medicaid. States Dr. Berwick, "It's not a question of whether we ration health care, it's whether we will ration health care with our eyes open."
In fact, Dr. Berwick is a great admirer of the British health care system, especially of the rationing body within that system, NICE. He compares the British health care system, "a global treasure", to the US health care system which he describes as the "darkness of private enterprise".
Let's review the British health care system.
The official goal for diagnostic testing is that patients wait no more than EIGHTEEN WEEKS for their medical tests. In fact, more than half of patients wait more than 18 weeks for their medical tests.
Only 30 to 50 percent of patients overall are seen and treated within 18 weeks. If you need trauma or orthopedic care, only 20 percent of patients are seen within 18 weeks.
Currently, about 750,000 patients in England are awaiting their turn for hospitalization. Every year, about 50,000 patients waiting for surgery are taken off the waiting list because they become too sick for surgery.
Rationing, anyone?