Future of the NHS
#91
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Re: Future of the NHS
Planting the seeds of a co-pay/deductible system?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-suggests.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-suggests.html
#92
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Re: Future of the NHS
Wasn't this the whole reason that there was an under-current suggesting that ALL-COMERS should have access to basic services as a basic human right as they in fact pretty much NOW do.
Last edited by Pistolpete2; Mar 31st 2014 at 12:18 pm. Reason: NOW
#93
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Re: Future of the NHS
Planting the seeds of a co-pay/deductible system?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-suggests.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-suggests.html
Last edited by Pistolpete2; Mar 31st 2014 at 12:55 pm. Reason: THRUST
#94
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Re: Future of the NHS
An attempt to reduce demand for services as Pete pointed out, maybe?
#96
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Re: Future of the NHS
Suggesting that people who reside in the UK but do not pay income tax are not entitled to NHS treatment, is the same as saying such people are not entitled to be defended during a war on the UK. Both health and defence in the UK are paid for primarily via taxation.
#97
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Re: Future of the NHS
Therefore we have reached a state where the already over-burdened facility is to become ever more over-burdened, without any further contribution to support it, which hardly makes sense.
Hence Lord Warner's input.
#98
Re: Future of the NHS
But in fact, as I have intimated, it is now the other way around. Since contributing is not in of itself the pre-requisite to current 'membership', there is no reason why the NHS should not be available to all-comers, namely visitors too, up to a point.
Therefore we have reached a state where the already over-burdened facility is to become ever more over-burdened, without any further contribution to support it, which hardly makes sense.
Hence Lord Warner's input.
Therefore we have reached a state where the already over-burdened facility is to become ever more over-burdened, without any further contribution to support it, which hardly makes sense.
Hence Lord Warner's input.
#99
Re: Future of the NHS
That's only a think tank piece. I think it is misleading to call it a 'plan'.
#100
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Re: Future of the NHS
On top of this, UK State pensioners typically don't have to be resident to gain most of full-service treatment.
Last edited by Pistolpete2; Mar 31st 2014 at 2:27 pm. Reason: We've had NHS-related discussion On top of this, UK State pensioners don't
#101
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Re: Future of the NHS
Reading of the plans in the Guardian, because I can't access the DT until April Fools Day , it seems the thrust of this is to provide funding for local council programmes to generally enhance health awareness and change bad health habits, to ultimately reduce demand for services. Selling it any other way would be perceived as just another POLL TAX.
#102
Re: Future of the NHS
Is it any different from when they introduced prescription charges? I wonder if there are records kept between the amount of prescriptions written and the amount that are actually paid for, not including exempt from payment prescriptions.
An attempt to reduce demand for services as Pete pointed out, maybe?
An attempt to reduce demand for services as Pete pointed out, maybe?
#103
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Re: Future of the NHS
Subsequently, would a mandatory £10 GP visit make people think twice about using the service if they felt their aliment didn't really necessitate a doctors visit and they could self medicate with over the counter medication?
#104
Re: Future of the NHS
I probably didn't phrase that to well. What I meant was, " I wonder what percentage of those who HAVE to pay for prescriptions, don't go and get them because of the cost." In other words, has the prescription charge been, for some, a deterrent to using NHS resources.
Subsequently, would a mandatory £10 GP visit make people think twice about using the service if they felt their aliment didn't really necessitate a doctors visit and they could self medicate with over the counter medication?
Subsequently, would a mandatory £10 GP visit make people think twice about using the service if they felt their aliment didn't really necessitate a doctors visit and they could self medicate with over the counter medication?
#105
Re: Future of the NHS
As far as I can see, the £10 levy suggested would fall mostly on the employed, who use NHS services the least. But, within that class it would be a regressive tax. Council tax is already inequitable because of the absence of higher value bands, which mean that millionaires get a very good deal. The £10 levy would make it worse. Then you can add the difficulty of making sure councils spend the money wisely. I don't think this idea is going to prove attractive to anyone, other than physical fitness trainers, life counsellors, and other people creating careers out of the self-improvement movement who see an opportunity for government sponsorship.
It's also unclear to me how a £10 per annum charge is supposed to cover a health "MOT" for anyone of working age. Currently, the NHS provides relatively limited screening and check-ups, compared with other countries, because they've been regarded as of limited value and uneconomic, so this turnaround would involve a significant change of culture. But, it is difficult to see how it would save the NHS money.