I had a similar experience with the gastroenterologist who performed the delightful colonoscopy many residents of Ontario receive as a 55th birthday present from the Ministry of Health. The technicians dummy up; only the doc can pronounce.

I would like Musket to expand on his point about screening and rationing. As I understand it, the idea is to identify predictable problems in their earliest stages in the majority of people in the vulnerable age-group, thus reducing their suffering and making room in the treatment queue for those who find themselves in the dreaded class of Exceptions To The Rule.

Is this not what is happening in Britain?