"Initially, there was some fierce opposition, including threats of non-cooperation from the British Medical Association (BMA) over issues of responsibilities and pay. But Aneurin Bevan, the Secretary of State for Health, pressed ahead and the NHS was introduced on July 5 1948." From Emma B's link

That's not surprising. Threat of change creates fear. But as some in the UK and in Canada have said, Just try to take it away from us now!

"We have over 80% of our population saying they are happy with their health care and do not want any major changes, expecting that things would get worse, not better." pdq

I really would like to see the documentation for that statement. I've been looking at the statistics tables for 2007 and they, without exception, show millions of Americans without adequate, affordable, available health care. The stats all show tremendous cost and without exception project that the costs will rise.