I have been watching the reports coming out of America with my Jaw on the floor.

The idea that the NHS is anything less than superb and a national treasure in the UK is seen as utterly absurd over here.

I've been able to rely on the NHS to send a doctor to my home when my daughter was ill, to operate on me within 24 hours when I had an accident that needed urgent attention, and to treat me for whatever other ailments I've suffered from over the years.

Here we take it for granted.

I'm sick - I go see my GP ... for free.

He prescribes medicine or hospital care and I get seen and given first classs treatment and have my problems sorted.

every few months there is a story in the news about somebody who has an unacceptable experience.

When this happens, it gets in the news because it is in the public interest because it is our health service and it is accountable to us.

And to clarify a key point, I live in south east London in the inner city where the NHS is at its busiest and most sretched.

The doctors and nurses are fantastic and I am grateful that I don't live in a country like America where those with more money than sense believe it is right to let those who can't afford health care die or go bankrupt.

The only lies being told in America right now are the lies being told to the American Public about the NHS and similar systems around the world.

Denying health care to those who can't aford it is nothing short of a crime.

Those who are resisting health care reform are criminals.