The debate over healthcare in the United States is being closely watched around the world, especially in Britain, where the political and medical establishment have launched a spirited defense of the National Health Service in response to attacks on the system by conservative commentators in the United States. Britain’s Business Secretary Lord Mandelson described the US healthcare system as second-rate for patients who can’t afford health insurance.

Lord Mandelson: “In championing the American system, they are championing good, first-rate healthcare for those who can buy the insurance and a very poor and second-rate system for those who can’t afford the insurance. We don’t want that system in Britain.”

Many Britons were surprised to read a recent editorial in the American newspaper Investor’s Business Daily. The editorial stated, “People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn’t have a chance in the UK, where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless.” Hawking was in fact born in the UK and has lived there his whole life. The paper was forced to run a correction. Hawking said, “I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the NHS.”