Republicans turn health reform into a revolution

American politicians, especially the Republicans who sank last year's health care reform, love to boast that America has the best health care system in the world. Among patients covered by insurance, they would get little argument. But that will probably change after this session of congress fulfils its promise both to balance the federal budget and to cut taxes. The very foundations of America's “best health care system” are being scrutinised, and virtually every major health programme will probably be slashed to levels previously undreamed of by doctors, scientists, and even politicians.

Republican leaders in both the house and the senate have promised to cut spending on Medicare, the insurance scheme for elderly people, by up to pounds sterling200 billion within the next seven years, though they promise not to cut …