Via Kevin Drum, this editorial in Investor’s Business Daily.
… People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn’t have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless. …
Hawking is, of course, British. He lives and teaches in Cambridge (UK, not MA).
And that’s not the silliest part of the editorial. Have a look if you’ve got nothing better to do and see how Obama is going to kill your grandma.
Update: Hawkings responds:
I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.
Update 2: IBD has edited the Hawking mention out of the editorial.
Update 3. Iain Murray at NRO:
Yesterday, I explained that it is ludicrous to argue that the NHS never gives quality care and that Prof. Hawking is a good example of when it does give world-class care. However, the mere fact that he received such care does not mean that the NHS is perfect.
No doubt that will come as a surprise to all those who have been insisting that the NHS is, in fact, perfect.