This item in the London Evening Standard calls attention to that oh so enviable public health service of theirs. It’s free, don’t you know? And open to all. No health insurance “crisis” there.

But here is a routine news story explaining that in half of all cases, the maximum wait time specified by the government of 18 weeks between being seen by a general practitioner and being treated is not being met. So half of Britons wait longer than 18 weeks for treatment.

It reminds me of P.J. O’Rourke’s quip “If you think health care is expensive now, just wait till it’s free."