I'm glad you mentioned medical morality Mike, because that is precisely what demands that any patient in need of treatment should get that treatment free at the point of need.

That means any patient, not just those who conform to your, or anybody else's, concept of acceptable behaviour.

And schemes like the one outlined above are refusal of treatment. Insisting that a patient suffer unnecessary pain while attempting to lose weight before being considered eligible for replacement surgery is just plain wrong.

Also, there is the question of whether the patient could even afford to pay, assuming he were billed for the treatment. What do you suggest doing about those wo couldn't?

Don T.