A Glimpse Into The Future?

Yesterday, the British Conservative party proposed a plan to stabilize the struggling National Health system. Their plan? Bribe healthy people into continuing their healthy ways, and refuse services to those who take part in unhealthy activities.

The Evening Standard has the story:

"Like a supermarket loyalty card, the points could be redeemed as discounts on gym membership and fresh fruit and vegetables, or even give priority for other public services - such as jumping the queue for council housing. But heavy smokers, the obese and binge drinkers who were a drain on the NHS could be denied some routine treatments such as hip replacements until they cleaned up their act."

As you might guess, I find this level of government intrusion troubling, but once you have nationalized health care this is how it has to be. The government can't just drop people from the plan if costs get out of control, so they must force people to live healthier (aka cheaper) lifestyles instead. Can someone explain to me why it isn't better to just allow people to pay for the services that they need, regardless of why they need these services?

Lets not forget that democratic candidate for president, John Edwards, has proposed that under a nationalized health system in the US check-ups would be mandatory.