UK's NHS in action, or rather, UK's NHS inaction

[Universe Prince]

An example of how a nationalized health care system makes decisions:

A man with a broken ankle is facing a lifetime of pain because a Health Service hospital has refused to treat him unless he gives up smoking. John Nuttall, 57, needs surgery to set the ankle which he broke in three places two years ago because it did not mend naturally with a plaster cast. Doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro have refused to operate because they say his heavy smoking would reduce the chance of healing, and there is a risk of complications which could lead to amputation. They have told him they will treat him only if he gives up smoking. But the former builder has been unable to break his habit and is now resigned to coping with the injury as he cannot afford private treatment. He is in constant pain from the grating of the broken bones against each other and has been prescribed daily doses of morphine.

The whole article at the other end of this link. This must be what is meant by "collective health". Smokers left without medical care for the good of the public. Yeah. Is this a scare tactic? That depends; is the truth scary?