>>I only denigrated the 'free' health care of Cuba in so much as Castro has used it like bread and circuses. Swapping freedom for free health care still doesn't seem like a good deal, though I believe in both.
>
>Same here. I'm a proponent for free health care (and I'm mostly libertarian - I know, it makes no sense). However, in Britain's case when it comes to cancer, I'm not sure the national system is the best route to go:
>
>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/21/ncancer121.xml
>
>I guess we're not privy to the rate in Cuba...


Hi Tracy

Here's an article debunking those stats

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/330/7495/808-b

just as an aside my father who is 86 and in pretty poor health was treated for a detached retina the day before yesterday. On the NHS and at no cost (apart from years of Tax and NI contributions of course) over the years he's also had a triple bypass and been treated for multiple injuries after a serious car crash again at no cost.

Also I think health care in Cuba would be a lot better but for 50 years of punitive US sanctions.