Can anyone explain how Reform’s Insurance based health system will work?

[BurntBroccoli]

I’ve looked at the manifesto and it’s confusing? A lot of Reform voters are now saying Farage will keep the NHS for poorer people but if you aren’t, you will have to go private. A bit like dentists or vets I suppose.

What is point you are classed as better off? How will the “NHS” be funded if no one wealthy is paying in?

Anyone?

Im on a good wage and I wouldnt be able to afford my own health care, I have a zillion different issues going on, various scans, appointments, investigations tests etc etc. Plus peri menopause so HRT is yet to come.

I presume I would still be paying NI for other stuff, not just the NHS so its double money to pay

Thankfully Reform will never get in so theres no point debating it.

Like they said for privatising utilities...oh wait....

Those on benefits will get it for free and the rest will have to pay insurance fees every month

Sounds crap

Am I correct in thinking pensioners also have to pay it? So Farage, unless he lies to his voters ( likely) will never get that past them!

How will the free healthcare for those in benefits be paid for? Will the better off have to pay private Insurance sub and a NIC? That’s not going to be popular!

I’m not sure Cornwall was ever great to start with - beautiful beautiful scenery but absolutely hideous social issues.

Well yes, but I am in my fifties and healthy atm but it is my idea of a nightmare to get stuck in the NHS having seen how badly it performs and heard terrible stories here and elsewhere. As people have said there are many many health systems in the world better than ours (and America's) we just need some intelligent leaders to copy them (no chance of that with the dismal choice we have at the current time).

This is my fear. I have a v expensive medical condition which I’m hugely grateful is obviously funded by the NHS/taxpayer. I work but am well aware I’m not a net contributor, I would be if not for being disabled. An insurance system would probably bankrupt me to the point being on benefits would be the only way of getting the medication without living in poverty. I’ve clung on and refused to claim PIP (because I don’t need it), but something like this would probably tip me into needing more state support.

I think many people would find a way to claim benefits rather than work and pay the insurance.

And I believe this country will go bankrupt in the next few years so those who can afford it might not have a choice but to fund themselves (same with the state pension).

County Councils and regional mayors do not run healthcare.

If Reform are including Westminster issues in their May election campaign
they are dumber than I thought

as are people who do not realise how local government works

If it’s anything like NZ or Australia’s system then it will be a disaster. Theirs are on their knees now.

Reform dont have policies just sound bites and dog whistles.

I grew up in Germany and the system can work but it's over 100 years old so the set-up is established and people acknowledge and believe in it.

So, if health insurance rate is 19%, you pay 9.5% of your gross salary and the employer pays it as well. You have a couple of treatments which aren't covered, you can use private top-up insurances like for additional dental work, better hospital ward etc.

If you are working for the civil service in certain levels, state insitutions or armed forces then you have private insurance for you and your non-working family members where you pay first and claim it back afterwards. You often get better access but the costs are huge.
I do the financial matters for my mum and the amounts I had to pay before the insurance paid her back was astonishing. I battle most prescriptions each year as they always find a reson not to reimburse 100%.
On the other hand they cover the full care costs, more than what the state insurance does.

Changing systems is not easy and takes a huge amount of confidence that the people will carry it as it does cost them money.
Do I believe the NHS needs a funding overhaul - yes. Reform's non-plan - No.

Unfortunately the people who vote for Farage generally do not have any critical thinking skills and cannot see the bigger picture!

How much are we talking about? How do people pay up front if they don’t have that sort of money?

Please explain how?

How, for example, would it get more staff? build a new hospital c/w staff equipment?
How would it train more Consultants?

As only the well off could pay, without adding to the tax burden, how much is exactly going to be raised....

We already have a "competitive" private sector, yet all they do is the cosmetic side and cherry pick the relative easy work... when they mess up, the NHS steps in.

Absolutely, and I'm definitely not one of those people who thinks the NHS in its current form is untouchable. I've agreed with those saying it's no longer fit for purpose for ages.

It's a question of what we replace it with. I find it so odd that for ages it's been the accepted wisdom that none of the "main" parties have the courage to admit it's not working and we need to move on to a different model because they fear it will make them unelectable. Yet here are Reform planning on doing exactly that and people are flocking to them. Either the main parties were wrong about the perceived public regard for "our beloved NHS", or people don't believe Reform will actually dismantle it after all, or they don't understand the implications.

I've had a good look at their manifesto this evening and I don't understand their economics at all (putting it politely).

So, if health insurance rate is 19%, you pay 9.5% of your gross salary and the employer pays it as well.

Genuine question - how do microbusinesses handle this? Seasonal businesses? Hospitality? Or at least, how would they handle it in this country when so many of them are on the edge already?

Yes same for Labour and the Tories. We are stuffed.

They absolutely are. They are banking on people not knowing the difference.

Yes I agree with all that. If only the majority of voters would look closely at manifestos (although both Labour and Tories often lie in their manifesto). I think the reason for the success of Reform is that the two main parties have been so incompetent and deceptive that people will try them as they're not associated with the mess the country is in and have not looked that closely at their policies.

I would say that it will be similar to Brexit. People will wring their hands and say they didn't know the consequences or were lied to.

NZ doesn't have an insurance based health system, and as for being on our knees, what, pray tell, is the NHS? I've heard some horror stories here, but nothing in comparison to in the UK.

Ha ha yes! I’ve already been told I’m fear mongering when I ask about how the insurance based healthcare will work.

“Nigel said there will not be an insurance based system”. Stop spreading fear!”

I really don’t think they like being asked about any policy other than immigration.