Stephen Hawking vs the NHS

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.

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