BBC news saying Scotland discussed possibility of wealthy being expected to pay for nhs treatment

[Ruizy]

Feeling a bit horrified at the prospect of this proposal. Surely it would just mean those above a certain wage would have to take out bupa style insurance. But not sure what would happen to emergency care.

I think it's a horrific idea but I do expect steering groups to feel confident in pitching all ideas to senior team/ministers. It's good that the team are trying to think.

The idea was mooted and shut down decisively.

The NHS in Scotland will remain free at point of need.

BUT not at "point of use ' anymore. Bevan created this when the population was so much smaller and folks died younger

@justasking111 it is still free at point of use & point of need in scotland and has been confirmed will remain so whilst the current government have control.

Clearly the government cannot speak to what a Labour or Tory Scottish government would do, although we can all clearly imagine.

UK population 1950 50 million . UK population 2021 69 million

Life expectancy 1950 over sixty. Life expectancy 2022 83 years.

Those extra 23 years have to be paid for

@justasking111

Yes they do. I'll go first with what we could scrap.

Let's scrap
The monarchy. nuclear weapons, the dossier of waste in the MoD. Prisons for women. For a starter for ten and also 👇🏻

Hs2 £45billion
Sunak polling on his image £1.3m
Bad PPE deals £18.7 billion
Public sector fraud. £23.7 billion
Close tax loopholes. £36 billion
Bank bailouts £4 billion

Oooh this is fun.

it is still free at point of use & point of need in scotland and has been confirmed will remain so whilst the current government have control.

Free at point of need does guarantee "the wealthy" would not be expected to pay.
It could easily be that people with income over £X per year have to take out additional Gov backed insurance.
A bit like working people having to have a private pension to supplement the old age pension.