The Republicans' rhetoric has vilified Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) to the point of defamation. Presenting no evidence at all, the opposition has alleged discrimination by the NHS against the elderly; opportunistic treatments of patients; medical incompetence; rationing of care, and interminable waiting lists that have resulted in patient deaths -- they have stated all of this and more as a divisive threat against the United States' moving toward a similar system.

There is far more to this political conflict than any brief overview allows. But it serves as an introduction to my personal story about the United Kingdom's National Health Service.

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At this time of writing a battle is being fought between the Democratic and Republican parties over President Obama’s proposal to reform the U.S. health care system. Simply put, Barack Obama’s plan is to wrest health care from the grip of big insurance companies whose objective is to profit from the sick, afflicted, and disabled citizens of the United States of America.

The President’s goal is to make affordable health care available to all Americans, whether they currently have insurance or not. His proposals include what is called the Public Option plan; an uncomfortable title for some because of its unintended opacity.