"if there paying nationa INSURANCE there entitled to same treatment as somebody who eats lettuce leaves" An interesting debate, this. While not advocating that overweight people should be denied treatment, seats, pies or whatever, I do think the above comment misses something (with due respect - of course, we are all entitled to our opinions). Insurance, whether it's NI or otherwise, is a precautionary purchase; it's there in case you need it, not to be brought into play by choice. You don't insure your car then deliberately crash it, safe in the knowledge that you are insured; why, then, should it be considered acceptable for someone to insure their health - as in the case of NI (although that's not all it covers, of course) and then act in a negligent fashion by overeating, smoking, drinking, etc, safe in the knowledge that 'hey it's ok I'm covered'? Now, don't get me wrong here - I'm expecting some reactionary comments - as those who know me know very well that I enjoy a few beers; however, if that led to illness and the powers that be said 'sorry mate, it's your fault, no deal' just as they would if I were to act negligently behind the wheel of a car and cause an accident then I would fully understand. I'm all for freedom of actions - even as a non-smoker I think the smoking ban an abhorrent abuse of rights - but insurance is not to be abused. For the record, I like pies.