As far as I'm aware, that statement is untrue, I have never heard of that in Britain. I live in Wales and we have slight differences but generally the health care system is more or less the same in Wales, England and Scotland.
My husbands grandmother had a heart bypass operation at the age of 78 and that was in England, about 10 years ago.
Whenever something is deemed to expensive it always causes uproar in Britain because that's what we pay our National Insurance contribution for in your wages (salary).
I have to admit the thought of going to the doctor or hospital and paying for it is really weird! I can't imagine having to do that!
Also even if the British government tried to bring things like that in, the public would go ape.