Obese, those with alcohol problems may be denied priority NHS care (UK)

[Gloria]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article2103722.ece


The Independent, UK
OBESE MAY BE DENIED PRIORITY NHS CARE

Smokers, people with alcohol problems and the obese could be denied priority treatment on the NHS if they do not try to change their lifestyle. The Cabinet is discussing the controversial idea as part of a drive by Tony Blair to secure his domestic political legacy by pushing through a final round of public service reforms before he departs next year. Ministers will confront a panel of 100 ordinary people with some of the "tough choices" facing the Government under a consultation exercise giving the public a direct say in the new policies. One question will be whether people whose lifestyle makes them ill should get the same priority as other patients. This would mean changing NHS guidelines saying that people should not be discriminated against "even if their illnesses are to some extent self-inflicted". ...

Downing Street sources said no decisions had been taken on whether to change the guidelines and stressed that the public would be asked their views on the issue first. The suggestion is bound to provoke criticism. Forest, the pro-smoking group, has claimed that some smokers have already suffered discrimination. It argues that tobacco revenues, which bring in £7bn a year for the Government, dwarf the cost of smoking-related illness.

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[dipsydoodle]

1. You should be aware

that his "reforms" are due in part to the fact that he's using NHS money is to help fund the war in Iraq. He's letting people die to let others die too. I won't say exactly what I think he is - I'd get slung off DU.

[progdonkey]

2. "if they do not try to change their lifestyle"

I think that's the key issue right there, and it all depends on how fairly that's implemented. In all three groups there's certainly a proportion who would like to quit, but are more heavily predisposed to being addicted to nicotine, alcohol, food, etc. than the general population and that needs to be recognized. Those people shouldn't suffer even more because they're obese, for instance, if they're honestly trying to fight it.

If they just don't care and want to continue smoking, drinking alcohol and/or eating to excess, then they should accept that everyone else shouldn't have to pay for their increased medical costs. If they're trying their best to quit, abstain, or lose weight, then they should get the same level of care as everyone else. (A possible analogy for the obese people would be the difference between seeing an obese person eating at Burger King and seeing one at the gym: I'd have very little sympathy for the first person's situation since they obviously don't care and are just making matters worse, but for the second person I'd think, "Hey, at least they're working on it. They're not there yet, but they're at least trying.")

So, you can put me down I guess as not being horrified at the idea, but skeptical as to whether they'd actually be able to implement it fairly.

[Book Lover]

3. This is only one part of the larger plan to dismantle the NHS

I recommend http://nhsblogdoc.blogspot.com for a doctor's POV. At the good doctor's blog there are also a good many links to other UK medical blogs.

[Gloria]

4. Meanwhile, we're all bombarded with ads for junk food, booze,

etc. etc.
The stores are full of crap.

Fake "guacamole" is sold as the real thing.

When does government and business start taking some responsiblity for all this???

[magellan]

5. How about people who drive too fast

...or engage in other risky behavior? They've only gone for a few of the high-profile groups here which is tantamount to discrimination. And I'd like to see them implement it fairly, I really would. They can't even administer the NHS properly as it is.

[Stephanie]

6. They should deny those with defective genes too.

Also anyone with red hair.

[Kiouni]

7. If they're that concerned with the costs of health care

why not crank up the taxes? how much money do you think big tobacco gets to keep? Make cigarettes pay for the cost of the smokers treatment. 30 years smoking and drinking and what 5 years at the end in and out of the hospital. make cigarettes, booze and cheetos all like 8 bucks a pop and use the tax to fund future health care.

I smoked a pack or two a day for 5 years and quit so I know its possible. The number one reason why people don't quit in my opinion is that it cost more to quit then it does to buy a new pack of smokes. Make nicorette gum and zyban affordable and more people will quit.

[tom_paine]

8. Yeech! That is one ugly coercional law. And holding health care

over people's heads is just plain wrong.

[RoyGBiv]

9. Well, ya know ...

Addiction is a choice after all, so this makes sense.

:sarcasm:

(Referencing a comment made on another thread that seemed to trouble few.)

[WritersBlock]

10. What will the test be, though?

Who determines what constitutes "trying to change their lifestyle?"

As an example, someone who quits smoking, but subsequently gains weight. Out of one frying pan into another, so to speak.

So that person's tried and succeeded according to one of their criteria, but is failing miserably in another. What will be the test to prove they've finally tried enough to merit being able to see a doctor again?

[Warren DeMontague]

11. How about people who send kids off to needless wars based on lies?

That cost of that shit has to run UP, old chap.