[Sundae]

My Mum (gently) moaned that her last Bank Holiday was spent in A&E with my brother. Although he is a grown married man, he doesn't drive and his wife was at work when he cut himself badly and needed stitches. When I sympathised and asked how long they were there she said mournfully, "An hour and a half..."

Only 6 years ago when I was hit by a car I waited 7 hours to be seen the first time I attended - as walking wounded I should say. When the advice I was given (incorrectly) to walk as much as I could bear caused my leg to swell and blacken I went back and had over 8 hour wait.

Government managed healthcare is a very risky option. The above is to illustrate how ours is finally improving - in some areas - but we are not a good example of how to manage it. And that's after 50+ years. Some countries manage it very well, but I think their taxes are far higher than the average US citizen would accept. I wouldn't want to be without the NHS, but healthcare EATS money.