Hands off our NHS! photo Paul Mattsson

Hands off our NHS! photo Paul Mattsson   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

The next government could bring in charges for NHS services. This was the warning made by Mark Porter, head of doctors’ organisation the BMA, because of the NHS’s £30 billion deficit.

Despite party denials, a £10 charge for a GP appointment has been suggested. What next, charging for A&E visits?

Working class people fought for and won the NHS. Getting health treatment when you need it, without worrying about paying huge medical bills, is seen as a mark of a civilised society. In a recent survey 85% agreed that the government should back a tax-funded NHS, free at the point of use, that provides comprehensive care to all citizens.

Porter says governments should resist NHS charges. Even if they could balance the government’s books they would totally unbalance the books for workers and their families and deter many from getting treatment. High dental charges have already led to people attempting ‘DIY fillings’.

There is no economic case for any cuts or charges. The NHS ‘black hole’ is largely caused by the chaos of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which is a licence for big business to make money out of building hospitals at our expense.

All the mainstream parties in May’s general election say the NHS is safe in their hands but their top priority is to save the capitalist system and its profits. In 1979 prescription charges were only 20 pence, now they have reached £8.60 an item. Any charge will later be increased.

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), standing in the elections, says a socialist government would refuse to pay the £60 billion bill for PFI. Hospitals are already allowed to use up to 49% of all beds for private patients. This only benefits the growing private health lobby. Kick these parasites out of the NHS!

Austerity policies followed by the major parties make the NHS’s difficulties even worse. This includes cuts in local council services that help people coming out of hospital. TUSC is against all cuts in public services.

  • No to NHS charges – keep the NHS public and free at the point of use
  • Full funding for health care – no closures or cuts
  • Scrap PFI – don’t pay the debt
  • Ease the NHS crisis by reversing council cuts to social care
  • Private companies out of the NHS
  • Bring the profit-hungry drugs companies into public ownership