Public perceptions on elective surgical funding

The cost of healthcare provision is increasing globally and many countries are seeking to address the appropriateness of surgical interventions with particular emphasis on nonurgent care. Health economics and provision of care is influenced by societal, institutional and patient perspectives with models based on different principles. We illustrate how socioeconomics and private insurance status influence funding proposals and opinions. Among non-paying service users there appears to be a belief that publicly funded hospitals should provide elective, cosmetic procedures. This belief is not shared by insured and self-funded users.