Nigel Farage: NHS might have to be replaced by private health insurance

[Mr Angry]

"Nigel Farage has suggested that the NHS might have to be replaced by a system of private health insurance within 10 years.

The Ukip leader was forced to back down and declare his party’s support for a state-funded health service last November after a film emerged of him backing a switch to an insurance system. After Labour claimed that Ukip would privatise the NHS, he admitted he had not carried his Ukip colleagues with him."


Indy.

[Russ]

Doesn't matter remember? As long as he deals with immigration and gets us out of EU etc

[papa smurf]

and the wibble award for most stupid post goes too

[Russ]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

and the wibble award for most stupid post goes too

...anyone who votes UKIP based purely on their immigration and EU policies.

The wibble award goes to anyone who toes the line pushed by vast swathes of the commentariat in this country, which reacts with shrill horror whenever anyone dares suggest there might be other ways of funding health provision.

It could well be that the UK and North Korea have got it right and everyone else has got it wrong. But it shouldn't be a crime or an excuse for tarring and feathering if someone suggests an alternative and asks for a debate about it.

[Ignitionnet]

Unsure about private health insurance but certainly a discussion about a single payer insurance system, alongside removing the awful policy of taxing employees for receiving private healthcare from their employers and hence making less use of NHS resources would be outstanding.

The NHS is a bit of a mess right now due to the various schemes that have been implemented, however its 'sacred cow' status should be reconsidered.

If there are better ways of doing things they can and should be implemented.

[solitaire]

Originally Posted by Russ

...anyone who votes UKIP based purely on their immigration and EU policies.

And to people who post biased comments like this. Each to his own of course, because people can make their own minds up.

As long as there is transparency about whom in government is lobbying for private health insurance AND have shares in private health care...

[Mr Angry]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

As long as there is transparency about whom in government is lobbying for private health insurance AND have shares in private health care...

Fair point Maggy.

[Pierre]

I'm sick of the NHS being held up as some kind of sacred cow that can't be touched.

I'm all for free at the point of need.

What goes on behind that shroud i don't really care as long as it is professional, cost effective and non-discriminatory.

We should explore all possibilities.

I'd start with taking control of the NHS away from the government (i'd do the same with education as well by the way). I'm sick of these two being used as political footballs every time. they are never left alone long enough to work properly.

An independant body (with oversight) should manage the NHS, and should be responsible to for setting spending within it. All goverment should be responsible for it raising the finances required. Same fior education.

Maybe then, the governement can concentrate on the economy and getting people back to work.

[Ramrod]

The trouble is that if something goes wrong in this country (with pretty much anything) people say "the government should do something"/"why isn't the govt doing something" etc.......so we end up with the govt poking it's nose into more and more, with predictable results.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by solitaire

And to people who post biased comments like this. Each to his own of course, because people can make their own minds up.

So each to their own except those who are skeptical regarding UKIP? Democracy in action eh?

[Mr Angry]

Democracy in action?

Ukip health spokeswoman rejects Nigel Farage’s views on NHS reform

"Tensions over Ukip policy broke into the open on Tuesday night as Nigel Farage’s views on NHS funding reform were openly rejected by the party’s health spokesman.

Louise Bours, the official in charge of health policy, said Farage was “entitled to his opinion” but Ukip members would reject their party leader’s idea of funding the NHS through an insurance-based system run by private companies if the leader tried to raise it for debate again.

This dispute originally emerged after Farage was filmed suggesting in 2012 that he would have more confidence if the NHS was funded “through the marketplace of an insurance company”.

Do UKIP members vote on policy? Who actually decides it?

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by Damien

Do UKIP members vote on policy? Who actually decides it?

I always just assumed that Nigel scribbled it on the back of a fag packet?