Well we definitely live a lot longer, but advances in medicine have meant it costs more to keep people alive for that bit longer. The problem with the NHS is really that it is weighed down by beauracracy. The wastage in the NHS is indicative of the inefficiency of a wholly centrally planned market, but given that the British public insists it does provide care free at the point of use for all, it is just something that needs to be accepted. I don't think it is a particularly efficient system, but perhaps it is more equitable than a system that is based on ability to pay.