"Mark" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 8 Feb 2018 16:40:59 -0000, "tim..."
wrote:



"Mark" wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 7 Feb 2018 22:06:17 -0000, "tim..."
wrote:



"RJH" wrote in message
news On 07/02/2018 14:38, Archibald Tarquin Blenkinsopp wrote:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a7548156.html


That article doesn't reflect anything like your header - or indeed
what
the government has said: 'The NHS will never be part of a trade deal'.

Quite why May is not ruling out US involvement in UK healthcare is
probably because it's already he

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/08/us-firms-look-to-capitalise-as-nhs-becomes-increasingly-privatised

Yep

I fail to see any reason why, if were are going to have an NHS that buys
in
services from private concerns, that these concern shouldn't be American
(based or owned). If they do an acceptable job at a lower price, what's
the
problem.

Because that wouldn't happen.

oh I agree it's unlikely

So why do it?

because it might be a part of getting trade deal which gives us things that
we want

Private companies, including those from
the USA want to make a profit and that doesn't equate to the best
service.

There are already some routine services run by private concerns that the
HNS
buys in

Sister had to go to one of them recently. It was operated by ex-NHS staff
which had set up the clinic specifically to bid for the work

But it could have been run equally well, probably better, by the NHS
directly.

That's got nothing to do with whether, if we do do it, American companies
should be allowed to bid for the work.

This headline appears to be an extrapolation from the real (but highly
unlikely) fear that the proposed clause in TTIP allowing US firms to sue
EU
governments if they pass laws that restrict their right to compete would
enable US firms to argue that the existence of a European style
privatised
health system was in breach of that rule.

You think this is unlikely - I'm glad you are so optimistic.

I think it unlikely that TPTB would allow this to happen yes.

I hope so ... but when money gets in the way....

But it will costs money, lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of it.
Just to get to the starting point of the Americans being allowed to enter
the bidding to "take over".

No European government could afford to do it.

tim