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.