Letter: Ashamed to be thought an NHS fat cat Dangers of health service driven by profit

Saturday 07 September 1996 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Given the commercial nature of health insurers, should they attract charitable status for rating and taxation purposes? Since they make prioritised and disproportionate use of NHS-trained and occupationally- pensioned medical staff for a small minority of "private" patients, and such patients necessarily enjoy accelerated access to NHS blood banks (since certain operations require blood to be stood by), and private operations anticipate NHS operations which are not for acute cases, could the privileges and advantages of "private" patients be actuarily calculated and repaid? This may result in the NHS being adequately funded.

D Shepherd

London NW4

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Letter: Ashamed to be thought an NHS fat cat Dangers of health service driven by profit

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering