Should Us Contractors Be Allowed Further Access To The Nhs In Exchange For Trade?

[Kromovaracun]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-nhs-us-trade-deal-talks-privatisation-healthcare-trump-a8198871.html

Theresa May has refused to rule out offering American healthcare businesses greater access to NHS contracts in future trade talks with the USA.

Which, presumably, means the government is considering it or at the very least is not opposed to it.

Do you think this is a good idea for securing trade deals?

[-Talbot-]

The 'So rule' just without the word 'So. ^

[-Talbot-]

That was for Zacs, obviously.

[ToraToraTora]

ZM: "What if those foreign companies came in and streamlined the administration and management processes? " - we don't need the septics or the EUSSR, we can do that ourselves.

[Zacs-Master]

There is no so rule please don’t pander to AH’s silly ,
Logic.

I’m not having a bad day at all N. I’m just pointing out your illogical fantasy arguments have no basis on, and no relevance to, the OP, which you seem to be studiously ignoring.

[Zacs-Master]

Then why aren’t we, Tora?

[naomi24]

Zacs, whether or not you think it's relevant is ...erm ... irrelevant to me.

[ToraToraTora]

because, as I said above, as far as the NHS is concerned, money seems to be the only thing that is ever discussed. I say we look at running the thing efficiently, cutting out unnecessary layers of management, stopping the monumental thefts and frauds that occur, employing staff we need directly instead of lining the pockets of "suppliers" and generally tightening the ship.

[Zacs-Master]

So why don’t we?

[Kromovaracun]

I don't know of many EU health companies which are currently taking NHS contracts. Certainly there are plenty in our transport industry which (imho) are extremely bad for the consumer.

But the premise of my question isn't that American companies are "bad." It's that we are evidently considering using access to the NHS as leverage in an anticipated trade deal. I don't think that is a good thing, and I also think it testifies to how desperate we are for a trade deal.

[Zacs-Master]

So your saying this is a consequence of Brexit?

[youngmafbog]

There are three issues here

1) Should we allow foreign firms to run the NHS? - NO
2) Should we allow foreign firms to come in and streamline the NHS (but not run it) - YES, why not.
3) Why dont we ourselves sort out the NHS. Simple answer is that is is used as a political football by all parties therefore no one can take the brave step of admitting the problem and get to sorting it.

[youngmafbog]

And BREXIT has zilch to do with it.

[Zacs-Master]

Surely we’re only desperate for a trade deal because of Brexit?

[Kromovaracun]

I think there's a link to Brexit yes. The UK government would not be so desperate to get a trade deal with the USA if we weren't about to leave the EU, and they certainly would not conceive of offering up swathes of the health service if they were not desperate.

This is the kind of thing we can expect if we're going to be making international trade deals on our own with economies that vastly outmatch us.

[ToraToraTora]

ZM: "Surely we’re only desperate for a trade deal because of Brexit?" - we are not desperate for a trade deal, only anti British VB popinjays think that.

[Zacs-Master]

I (and it would seem Kromo) believe that this is a fairly strong sign that we do, Tora. Why else would May be giving the green light to this?