[DanaC]

We don't have 'free' healthcare in the Uk. But our healthcare is 'free at the point of need'. That's the guiding principle for most socialised healthcare systems. Paying for it is something you do across your entire lifetime in the form of taxes and national insurance contributions. This is the case even if you are receiving state benefits (anything above 4k a year or thereabouts, is taxed albeit at a low rate for low incomes). When the worst happens, the last thing you should be worrying about is paying for treatment.

Also, what's to say you can't take the 'rationing' body to court if it's not a private insurance company? We occasionally end up with various groups taking rationing issues to the high court. As an individual what are the chances of successful litigation against a major insurance company whose legal eagles have written in all kinds of loopholes to ensure they don't have to pay out on your policy?

The vast majority of the current 'rationing' which exists by default through 'pre-existing conditions' and yearly cost limits is perfectly legal and almost impossible to counter in the courts. The fact that you can in theory litigate doesn't make it an acceptable safety net for individuals.

There would be no question in the UK of this girl's case being refused as 'cosmetic'. Reconstructive surgery, and even cosmetic surgery can be had through the NHS as long as the medical benefits can be shown.