Critiques of Britain's health care system, the National Health Service (NHS) might be the best thing that's happened in favor of Obama's healthcare plan.

Those who are anti-Obamacare have used Britain as a point of reference, attempting to highlight its shortcomings and explaining that a similar system won't work in America. But the same critiques have caused an uproar that has caused many to speak out in defense of the free health care system, making a stronger case for healthcare in America that borrows from Britain's system.

Things heated up earlier this month when Investor's Business Daily made the mistake of citing Stephen Hawking as an example of why the NHS works poorly. The editorial -- "How House Bill Runs Over Grandma" -- slammed Britain's "end-of-life care" policies and went so far as to say that, "People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn’t have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless."

Unfortunately for Investor's Business Daily, Hawking is a Brit and has received a huge amount of health care from the National Health Service. He came out in full support of the NHS, stating that "I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS. I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived." Investor's Business Daily put its tail between its legs and quickly revoked the editorial for its factual errors and unfounded arguments.

Bloggers and Twitter users around the world have spoken out in defense of the NHS. Paul Krugman, BigThink expert and NYT columnist deemed the NHS criticism "vile and stupid." Obama's own stepmother, who currently lives in Britain but is not British herself, came out saying that she owes her life to the NHS.

So much for using Britain as reasoning for why we shouldn't adopt a new health care system. Should Obama succeed in making the sweeping health care reforms he campaigned on, he can partially thank the stupidity of nay-sayers like Investor's Business Daily for using the wrong arguments against free health care systems.