What the NHS can learn from the American way

“"democrat"

My point exactly - The media frenzy and coverage far outweighed the 'news' coverage of the Hacking scandal, the Parliamentary Paedophilia scandal, and the Banking scandals...

We would do well to remember that the 'best of men are still only men at best", constant top-down interference and thoughtless top-down imposition, a target culture and funding all play a significant part in the South Staffs scandal. Unacceptable neglect and indifference is a growing culture in our society - just take a look at the scandalous scape-goating of the disabled, the vulnerable, and unemployed people!

Be aware of whose agenda the media peddles.”

“agewait

South Staffs?”

“I do not "criticise the idea that the NHS could learn anything from the American (PRIVATE) health system" I am absolutely opposed to such a concept, and I recognise it has a fragment of the blitzkrieg of propaganda against the NHS, and the combined strategy of a state/corporate owned media. The Media, Parliament, are now more than any other time in our nations 'democracy' is mere façades. They are the medium for the vested interests and not the public well-being
The powerful forces of corporatism have infiltrated, or is it infected? Our most influential systems are now at the mercy of gigantic consortiums of unelected power that dictates policy through a web of lobbyists, and a very high measure of quisling MPs whose principles have abandoned them for thirty pieces of silver. A very high proportion of Parliament, both Houses, overflows with members who have private interests, and financial interests in Private Health companies both here and in the USA.
It has not escaped anyone's attention that the NHS & Social Reform Bill is not a Mandated Bill, it has never been part of any Political Party Manifesto, it has NOT been placed before the People of the Nation. Therefore NO Party, No 'government' of hired-hands & private interests has any legitimacy in railroading the NHS & Social Welfare Bill through both houses at breakneck speed. It is a travesty of justice, and the media has played its part with skilfully focusing on staged events in a policy of 'distraction and news blackouts': providing a 'circus of celebrity, staged events, royal trivia, and blatant distraction.
For example, how many of your readers know that CARE UK, a British Private Health company owned by John NASH landed 96% of NHS services for Prisons, and that John Nash donated £122,000 to the Tory Party, and the Health Secretary, at the time, Lansley. CARE UK was almost immediately sold to an American Private Health Company: BRIDGEPOINT; in May 2010, hidden away from public scrutiny by the General Election. The consultants for BRIDGEPOINT include a former Secretary of Health – Alan MILBURN. Milburn was striking influential in opening the door to Privateers, providing a wedge and the way for further Privatisation.
Other consultants include the Tory donor John NASH, who subsequently became Baron John Nash and now sits in the House of Lords. And yet another Consultant with very crucial/influential and power media connections: Chris PATTEN. The BBC were suspiciously operating a policy of what can only be identified has a news blackout with regard to the progress of the NHS Reform Bill, specifically in the week of a crucial Lib-Dem spring conference vote – which could have swayed the implementation of this most opposed hated Bill – although you could not have guessed this overwhelming opposition has this was victim of the media silence, and the BBC news blackout in March 2012. The NHS Bill was passed, not surprising when you consider there were 207 members of Parliament with Private Health interests. Whatever happened to a 'Conflict of Interest'?
Therefore this NHS 'Reform' was illegitimate, and the proposal to learn something from the Americans – is just a ruse – the Nation has been, and is being lied to, and educated through propaganda to turn it's back of the greatest and most altruistic institution we have in the Nation, OUR NHS. Don't be fooled, do your own research – simply follow the money!”

“What an ignorant letter. Some startling facts. The U.S spend 17.9% on health - the U.K. 9.6% so the idea that the U.S is in any way efficient on healthcare is nonsense. Furthermore, over 40 million people do not have health insurance, so whatever numbers are maintained are skewed somewhat by these outsiders. 70% of all debt is due to health bills which represents a majority of foreclosures to their properties.

the Health and Social Care Act was a legalised mechanism to hand over public resources into the hands of private companies, many of whom employ MPs and Lords across the value supply chain.”

“Health should not be subject to ability to pay.We already pay for everything else and the health system should be protected it is the last bastion of the welfare system set up after the last war and I will always be grateful to Clement Atlee and his cabinet for that.
"Steal from the rich" that must be a typing error.You must mean the rich steal from society and take their gains abroad to avoid tax”

“This is a price-of-everything, value-of-nothing argument being proposed here I think. The NHS employ lots of accountants already, and I am sure they know exactly how much they are spending and on what. I am not sure anyone would argue that this is a bad thing, whatever their political persuasion?

But the point about the US system is that the private insurance companies and hospitals all have to make a profit - and that is why the total cost on healthcare in the US per head of population is much more than it is here. And given the choice between a fair profit and a disproportionate profit - which are they likely to choose, I wonder?

I am sure the letter writer would jump in and say that as long as you have insurance, then where's the problem? And if you don't have insurance, then that is your personal responsibility, and you'll have to face the consequences if you need healthcare. But we all know exactly how insurance companies work don't we? They wiggle out of paying whenever they can, quoting small print, and increase premiums year on year for anyone who naively believes in customer loyalty. Even wealthy americans can find themselves unable to get themselves insured if they have previously had a cancer diagnosis - imagine having to face using your life-savings and selling your house if your husband/wife has a relapse of a life threatening condition?”