So, How's That *Free* Health Care Treatin' Ya?

In Britain, they have an interesting way in dealing with people who need surgery: They let them wait...and wait....and wait...

LONDON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Hospitals in Britain have been told to hold off operating on some patients until they've been on a waiting list for 20 weeks, documents show.

The instructions for delaying treatment as long as possible were included in letters sent to hospital managers, who also were told how many operations could be postponed until after the new fiscal year, which starts in April.

Patients were having their treatment artificially delayed because the trusts that provide local medical care for National Health Services had to ensure they would break even, political leaders said. The trusts are in the throes of a $2.6 billion deficit.

But the health care is still free though, right?

Remember kidlets, sometimes free isn't a good deal at all.