Sad sad times for jolly ol’ England. A number of doctors have said that fat people, smokers and old people should be barred from receiving care because they’re fat old smokers. So essentially if you’re perfectly healthy you can get treatment but if you’re in need of medical attention then you don’t qualify.

Imagine the scenario of cancer patients trying to lose weight so they can get treatment. But don’t call it a death panel.

I know right now in America everyone’s denying the existence of death panels in President Obama’s healthcare plan but certainly this would seem to be a death panel which decides who gets treatment and who gets death in England’s socialized healthcare model. But like the current occupants of the White House, I’m sure they wouldn’t want it to be called a death panel but it is what it is.

I know that all you gloomy Gusses are seeing this as all darkness. But on the other hand, these death panels have a bright side that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Some doctors are saying that the country is so broke due to having socialized medicine that they also might not even be able to afford one of the most popular medical procedures – abortion.

They’re so broke, the poor things can’t even afford to kill their own children? What a shame. The UK Telegraph reports:

Smokers, heavy drinkers, the obese and the elderly should be barred from receiving some operations, according to doctors, with most saying the health service cannot afford to provide free care to everyone.

Fertility treatment and “social” abortions are also on the list of procedures that many doctors say should not be funded by the state.

The findings of a survey conducted by Doctor magazine sparked a fierce row last night, with the British Medical Association and campaign groups describing the recommendations from family and hospital doctors as “out­rageous” and “disgraceful”.

About one in 10 hospitals already deny some surgery to obese patients and smokers, with restrictions most common in hospitals battling debt.

Managers defend the policies because of the higher risk of complications on the operating table for unfit patients. But critics believe that patients are being denied care simply to save money.

In all seriousness, how far has western civilization sunk when England is considering not treating fat people, smokers, or old people before it even considers not paying to have their own children killed?