“Putting aside the debate over whether how much we eat and how little we move has anything to do with the state, we are left with the question whether, in a taxpayer funded system, any amount of ‘nudging’ can galvanise patients into taking more responsibility for their health? Indeed, a system that makes no direct link between what a patient pays in and how much they get out is one that will, perhaps inevitably, promote irresponsible attitudes on the part of individuals. One way to encourage more responsibility would be to roll out individual budgets on a wider scale, giving patients a sense of ownership over their health and well-being by allowing them to manage and control their healthcare spending.” (08/28/08)