Ditch the NHS for private health care

[cchris 10]

Simple fact is that Good old fashioned methods don't work when the numbers they are trying to accommodate are tenfold. The management structure they introduce is a 'cheap' fix to come up with efficiency savings, instead of facing the facts that we need more buildings and more staff.

[Greybeard 10]

If we had the private sector replace the NHS, competing companies would strive to provide better services and provide them at competative prices to win customers. They would have to meet the service expectations of its customers, or it customers will look elsewhere. The tax burden on Joe Public should go down, then it is your choice whether to spend that extra money in your pocket on fags and booze, or on health insurance.

 

This idea idea has worked really well for public transport so there is no reason to suppose health care would be any different.

 

And it could solve the problem of too many old-age pensioners and impoverished wage slaves at a stroke.

[dell12 10]

This idea idea has worked really well for public transport so there is no reason to suppose health care would be any different.

 

And it could solve the problem of too many old-age pensioners and impoverished wage slaves at a stroke.

 

Firstly you'd have to accept that you're going to have to pay more for health care. Around twice as much as we currently pay in fact (as they do in America) as insurance companies and the hospitals all want their cut.

 

Secondly what about if you can't afford health insurance?

[poppins 10]

US has the best health care system in the world, or would have had untill "The Anointed One" had it changed for 2014...no one gets turned away ever, why do people flock to the US for treatment from other countries ? because they get the best treatment for free and have access to the best Doctors

 

The rich can afford to pay top dollar, middle class pay mostly through work,and private, eldery pay into the medicare plan, (which Obama is also messing with that within the next couple of years ) the poor don't pay a dime and get good treatment as other peoples premiums pay for theres, thats the way it should be, Veterans have there own VA Hospitals in every State...free

 

And yes! the Doctors in the US make big money (untill it changes to socialized health care ), but I want my Doctors to be rich, rich enough they don't have to worry about mortgage and other financial payments (while I'm under the knife , )rich enough to send their children to medical school so we have more of these good doctors, a couple of my local Doctors are so wealthy they can afford (and do) take months off their work in th US to treat people in third world countries, all that "Free Agent" stuff will come to an end in 2014,some Doctors here are already talking about early retirement, then the new health service will have to recruite from other countries.

 

Of course most on here won't agree with me or get what I'm saying, but living with this system for over 40 years I wouldn't change a thing.

[dell12 10]

 

The rich can afford to pay top dollar, middle class pay mostly through work,and private, eldery pay into the medicare plan, (which Obama is also messing with that within the next couple of years ) the poor don't pay a dime and get good treatment as other peoples premiums pay for theres, thats the way it should be, Veterans have there own VA Hospitals in every State...free

 

What about the 60m people who are uninsured, unable to afford cover?

 

You pay twice as much for the American system, while the average American lives less long than the average Britain.

[sccsux 10]

I used modern as a generic term meaning what we expect of todays health service.

 

And what happens tomorrow/next week/next month when the needs of the country change?

 

We need to bring back good old fashioned ward sisters/matrons

 

Not going to happen under the current regime, remember which party was in power when the matrons were done away with - (clue - largest party in the current coalition).

 

Most people would take out health insurance when they are perfectly fit and well, with free choice across the market, so I can't see anything predatory about it.

 

And what of people who can't afford the premiums (low earners/students/unable to work)?

 

 

Also, the private sector would collapse if the NHS was taken away.

[Magilla 510]

The USA has the best health care in the world

 

Actually, it doesn't. The US has a higher infant mortality rate and on average, US citizens have a lower life expectancy compared to their EU cousins and will spend a higher proportion of their life in ill health (according to the WHO and OECD).

 

most people do pay for their own insurance through work

 

How long does cover last should you be unfortunate enough to be made unemployed?

 

then medicare picks up for the retirees, poor people get it for free, no one gets turned away from a hospital ever

 

You'll get treatment if you're going to die, but other than that you're left on your own. Lose a limb & they'll treat the wound but won't make any effort to sew it back on again, leaving you in a poor state.

 

we also have Veterans hospitals in every State, but now thanks to Obama we'll all be on socialized health care in 2014, worst bill he ever passed... damage is done now

 

It's not socialised, that is merely propoganda which you have bought into.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Magilla

[Alex C. 10]

part privatisation could possibly be a way forward - companies competing to run medical facilities on behalf of the NHS.

 

I believe this is already done to some degree, I had a letter through from a company called care UK the other day, who seem to be providing my hernia treatment. So far they've been excellent. My appointment for an assessment was on the 23rd, they brought it forward to the 17th and when I rang them today to say that was unsuitable, they brought it forward to the 3rd (this friday)

[Alex C. 10]

Of course most on here won't agree with me or get what I'm saying, but living with this system for over 40 years I wouldn't change a thing.

 

That's a fair comment, and I know a few Americans who feel the same - but it doesn't stop the fact that the American healthcare system directly contributes to people dying needlessly.

 

Not to mention (again!) that you have by far the most expensive healthcare system per capita in the world, but you don't have the associated increase in life expectancy or decrease in infant mortality you would expect.

 

Why do you think that is?

[mj.scuba 10]

And what happens tomorrow/next week/next month when the needs of the country change?

A private sector would be far more dynamic and able respond to changing health care needs.

 

And what of people who can't afford the premiums (low earners/students/unable to work)?

I'm not suggesting we copy the US system verbatim, but as poppy has pointed out, nobody is left without health care in the US, nobody is turned away. Adequate provision would still have to be made for these people, even in a private health care system.

 

Also, the private sector would collapse if the NHS was taken away.

Actually in many cases suppliers are taking the pee out of the NHS and costing us the taxpayer. Private companies would drive a harder bargain with suppliers and get better value for money, whilst at the same time the many different health care providers would choose many different suppliers, the the whole supplier market grows and becomes more competative.

[Snook 10]

I'm not suggesting we copy the US system verbatim, but as poppy has pointed out, nobody is left without health care in the US, nobody is turned away. Adequate provision would still have to be made for these people, even in a private health care system.

 

Depends what you mean by 'nobody is left without health care'. In this country that is pretty much true at the moment. In America that is nowhere near true. If you are about to die then you have to be treated, but you will not get anything like the huge range of medical care that you get here on the NHS.

 

I don't think the NHS is perfect at all, and needs a lot of work to make it more effective, but it is obviously a much better system than in America where even people with health insurance don't always get the treatment they need as insurance companies are the same the world over, they try to get out of paying whenever possible.

[hitch_1980 10]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10789246

 

This is an interesting article about NHS patients being referred to a private clinic on Harley Street, posted today on the BBC.

 

 

 

Firstly, how come the mammoth NHS that we all pay in to isn't the first to have one of these machines?

 

Secondly, perhaps this is the kind of setup we should embrace. There isn't a need for us to carbon copy the US or European systems, we could have our own unique solution of sourcing private sector services for NHS patients, paid for by the NHS, where they can provide a better service (or even one the NHS can't provide).

 

Ummmmmm.....read this......

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8705649.stm