http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14778406

We all know the sort of 'donors' the Tories are thinking of

If a single bid is accepted from a big US provider we can all work out how bad the service will become. They should experiment with Tory constituencies as they clearly voted for this. Start with David Camerons constituency.

Yeah, right. They'll unleash it on one of the 'testing grounds' first, i.e. Scotland or Northern England.

Why are our political leaders so fcuking enamoured with all things American?

from the BBC Health correspondent.

Yes why impose it on the "testing grounds" of Northern England or Scotland? Haven't they suffered enough?

As for all things American I have found one thing in America that would transplant well and that is how mayors are picked. It is simply the candidate with the highest number of votes. So rather than it being bug-gins turn in many councils or only the main parties getting a run at the post, it would mean that an independent or unpopular (within the party) party member getting a chance to make their mark. Rather than copy every stupid policy such as the recent abortion fiasco pick the best policy from where ever it works.

one word 'money'

look at dentistry costs/charges
look at opticians costs/charges
look at prescription costs/charges

and the list will get longer and longer
goodbye NHS it was nice knowing that you did exist ...

true its all about money, but if those services then become free, the population will have to expect taxes to rise (above any normal rises that the government will want to sneak in)

But that was why there were waiting lists and even rationing.

they were free
but now cost

things can only get worse ...

They were never free but paid for by the taxpayer out of general taxation

But the public accepted that price. The problem is that the rich do not like the system because it means that they pay twice. Once for the private care and then for the public system for which they do not use. So they want to cut that expense, hence they are destroying the NHS by stealth.

that's the point of the NHS
free at point of use you/all pay for it via taxation

my taxes are/have not been reduced when the NHS decide to cost/charge for a service that was once free at point of use

now its costs/charges plus taxes and things will only get worse ...

No what's destroying the NHS, apart from the huge increase in management layers and the apparent need to pay them the going market rate (to attract the best candidates. Which is obviously doesn't) is the ever expanding cost. When the NHS was brought into being there wasn't the type of treatments available now and the costs. Need a heart transplant (cost £40k plus) in 1950 .. well you died. Want a test tube baby (one cycle £4k), In 1950 the NHS cost the country £400 million, by 1965 the cost was £1,200 million, by 1975 it had risen to £5,200 million per year and 2010-2011 £110 billion.
If you wanted a fully funded NHS that paid for everything then the country would be totally bankrupt (ok even more bankrupt than it is now). We cant afford that utopian ideal, once that premise has been taken away then you have to decide what is provided and who is going to pay for it.

and the mercenary yank companies will revel in it, at our expense ...

Of course they will as im sure we will see contracts that are so one sided and generous due to the amazing abilities of the guys doing the negotiating.