"did not show increased longevity, although it did provide an increased quality of life"
Is this "THE" measuring stick used for who gets care?
No. Canadians get bypass surgery everyday. In Canada .
It was in this case. Canada wanted proof that doing the procedure would provide the benefit of longer life. The board or whatever did not think something as 'nebulous" as improved quality of life, ( in my uncles case his angina was so bad he chest pain if he tried any kind of exertion at all).
Now Medicare and insurers in the US do similar analysis, but if you don't like the decision you CAN pay for it yourself.