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From The Socialist newspaper, 24 August 2016
The threat of private health insurance
NHS privatisation cartoon, photo Alan Hardman (Click to enlarge)
Jon Dale
As waiting times for NHS treatment lengthen, more people can be tempted by private medical insurance. This is a dangerous trend - for the NHS and for all but the wealthiest few.
In February, more patients than ever waited over 18 weeks for planned hospital care - over 260,000. 83,000 people had to wait over 26 weeks and almost 9,400 waited more than 39 weeks.
Record numbers of cancer patients also had to wait. Hospitals breached two of the eight cancer waiting time targets. Only 81% of people referred by their GP to have a first treatment for cancer got it within 62 days.
Over 5 million people have private medical insurance. Four fifths are paid by employers, the average cost being £700 a year. Prices for older people can be much higher. The cost is increasing four times faster than the rate of inflation.
Medical insurance companies are keen to cut the cost of insurance - for themselves. Like all insurance companies, they want more low risk customers paying premiums but fewer claims, especially for expensive treatment.
Now they are offering more than 10% discounts to people who share their fitness data. Trackers such as Fitbits measure how active the wearer is and can collect information about gym sessions and supermarket visits. They could also track heart rate and blood pressure. This information could be used to stop those in greater need of medical care being insured, unless at a prohibitively high premium.
Lengthening waiting lists and daily attacks on the NHS by the government and in the media can drive more people who can afford it to insure for private treatment. Those most in need of healthcare are usually least able to pay.
A massive trade union-led campaign is needed to save our NHS providing treatment for all and prevent US-style treatment by credit card.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
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- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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In The Socialist 24 August 2016:
#KeepCorbyn
#KeepCorbyn: Answer right's attacks with firm socialist programme
Corbyn union nominations round-up and view from the workplace
#KeepCorbyn: huge support at rallies and among Labour rank and file
Socialist Party news and analysis
Black footballer's taser death: stop police racism now
Pay still below pre-crisis levels
Train fares to rise again - nationalise railways now!
£500m on civil service redundancies in two years
International socialist news and analysis
Trump in trouble - political polarisation deepens
Socialist readers' comments
Readers respond to Trotskyist red scare smears by capitalist media
Would you call G4S for help over discrimination?
Workplace news and analysis
Deliveroo strike action forces bosses to back down
Junior doctors set for further strike action
A day in the life of a call centre worker
Save our NHS
The threat of private health insurance
Organise against secretive NHS cuts plans
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Greenwich council tenants: We won't pay! We won't move!
Local estate agents back Butterfields tenants
Nottinghamshire Pride makes history
Immingham residents' housing battle
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