'I wouldn't be here if not for the NHS': What Stephen Hawking told U.S. politicians attacking the British healthcare system

By Daniel Bates
Last updated at 12:08 AM on 13th August 2009

Professor Stephen Hawking has spoken out in defence of the NHS after high-level U.S. politicians have branded the National Health Service 'evil' and 'Orwellian'.

The British professor, who has suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease for 40 years, insisted that he 'would not be here' were it not for the NHS.