not rocket science to deal with many people who are unhealthy or heading that way. After visiting my doctor a few times some years ago, I realised they are there, primarily, to fill in prescriptions and give out sickness notes. They are not really interested in a person's health, because there are no follow ups or further check ups. A patient has to make the doctor interested in their health. For instance, a fat person should be referred to weight watchers. Alcoholic needs to attend alcohol anonymous and be detoxed. The same games for drug addicts. Smokers need to be given tobacco substitutes. All with regular checks by a GP to see how they are progressing. It's not rocket science to deal with many people who are unhealthy or heading that way. I think we have to let Darwin's theories hold sway to a certain extent too. You can only lead so many horses to water - or maybe only so many times - before it is not really worth the effort. Ah, so it is only the Americans who use private companies in their health system ? Are you actually sure of that or are you just getting your anti-US fix in ? The US is the best example of private healthcare because it is the world's number 1 economy. And I resent your hysterical accusation that I'm "anti-US". What the hell does that even mean? I have good American friends. The only reason you use the term is