Can we stop the privitisation of the NHS?

[nametakenagain]

The proposed changes to the NHS prepare the ground for heathcare in this country to follow the American model where you can have what you want if you can afford it, but there's not much for people that can't.

The NHS isn't perfect but it is the envy of the world for good reason - no other country gets the same high standards without putting in a lot more money.

Neither rich nor poor benefit where organisations make a profit out of sickness (the rich get encouraged to have unnecessary tests and surgery, the poor can't afford what they need).

Not many people in this cuontry would want this to happen, but it seems to be going ahead. I can't believe most of the MPs voting in favour realise the implications, or maybe they're too scared for their jobs. There have been a few campaigns to stop the bill but it carries on.

Any ideas?

If this bill goes through it is the end of the NHS as we know it, after it becomes a ragbag of competing private companies with no ability to make them accountable.

Those who think that 'as long as it's free I don't care who delivers it' only have to lookat the behaviour of the private sector over the substandard implants - 'not my responsibility gov' and at BMI and BUPA quarrelling over costs with the patients the losers in the middle of it all

blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ianmcowie/100014146/bupa-bars-more-than-half-of-bmi-hospitals-in-row-over-costs/

There are already standard treatments that are not available as NHS services are cut back (eg.joint replacements and cataracts), so it will be - would you like to buy some insurance to cover the stuff the NHS doesn't do any more, or pay a little top up for a better version...

The market in health care (as opposed to the system in Scotland and Wales) costs upward of 10 billion a year, money that could be spent on frontline care, so it does matter who delivers the care and under what system of funding

And the NHS consistently tops international studies for cost effectiveness and outcomes, so while not denying individuals poor experiences most people are satisfied with it - highest ever ratings when the Tories came into power

I support the idea of a campaign. How do we go about it?

New poll shows 98% of GPs want the bill scrapped. Lansley promised to put clinicians at the heart of the 'reforms'. Well, they've spoken so can we expect to see the billwithdrawn ASAP?