An article in the Economist noted that the National Health
Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom “provides health
care free at the point of use.”
a. What does “free at the point of use” mean? Is health
care actually free to residents of the United Kingdom?
Briefly explain.
b. The same article suggested that funding problems at the
NHS could be alleviated by “reducing demand for unnecessary treatments” and noted that while two-thirds of
the 35 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) charge patients for
an appointment with a general practitioner, the NHS
does not. Is there a possible connection between the
NHS’s funding problem and its failure to charge patients
for doctor appointments? Briefly explain.
Source: “Accident and Emergency,” Economist, September 10, 2016.