Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss wanted to impose radical cuts and privatisation on the health service which campaigners see as the death of the NHS.
She co-authored a 44-page document in 2009 and her wish list included:
- Doctors’ pay slashed by 10 per cent
- Patients pay a charge to see their GP
- Abolish universal child benefit
- End pensioner winter fuel allowance “gimmick”
Health campaigners blasted Ms Truss over the proposals. National campaigns lead for Your NHS Needs You, Marshajane Thompson, said: “We will see deaths because people cannot afford healthcare — but just like Boris Johnson all Tories are happy to see the bodies pile high as long as they continue to get rich.”
Dr Nick Mann, GP and member of Keep Our NHS Public (KONP), said: “Charging patients to see a GP is a zombie idea that breaks the fundamental social contract of the NHS. It’s the wrong prescription for the NHS and it will harm patients.
“Make no mistake: charges and privatisation of the NHS is undoubtedly this government’s intention.”
Liz Peretz of Oxfordshire KONP said: “These are the true colours of the Tories. Destroy the NHS. Let people die while the rich get richer.”
We Own It Lead campaigner John Bosco, said: “Unfortunately for Liz Truss, the public fully support our NHS.
“What they hate are efforts by ideologically driven politicians to undermine the NHS by underfunding and privatising parts of it.”
Labour MPs also warned about the future of the NHS under a Truss premiership. Barry Gardiner said: “In August 2016, Susan Finley died of the flu — only she didn’t! She died because, after she lost her Walmart job in Grand Junction, Colorado, she couldn’t afford to pay to see a doctor.
“Her condition could have been treated. Her poverty could not. This is the health system Liz Truss wants for you and me.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Any suggestion that NHS patients should be charged for appointments must be entirely rejected, especially as so many are facing financial uncertainty due to falling wages and the rising cost of living.”
Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe said: “This is not out of step with the last decade of Tory rule. The dangers of sliding towards a US-style private insurance healthcare system cannot be overstated,” she added.
Labour MP Diane Abbott added: “If Liz Truss becomes prime minister people will be shocked by how right wing she will be.”
Source: Morning Star
Related posts:
Subscribe
Click here for a secure way to sign up, you will be supporting independent news. Click the button below.
Your Opinions
Disagree with this article? why not write in and you can have your say? email us
