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Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 22.50
by Chie
BBC News wrote:He added the same people who were eligible for free prescriptions prior to the universal policy would qualify, as would cancer patients.
Charges would also be lower than when they were abolished, and money raised would be ring-fenced for the health budget.
In England we have to pay for our prescriptions and always will do, because a free system for the 50 million people who live here would cost far too much. It isn't fair that under the
National Health Service, people who just happened to be born in Wales get their medication free of charge! That's like suggesting that everyone who lives in Hertfordshire should get free prescriptions just because they live there, while the rest of the country has to pay. It's ridiculous.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 22.52
by Pete
The National Health Service only covers England. NHS Wales deals with Wales, as NHS Scotland does up here.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 11.41
by Mr Q
I don't see anything objectionable in what the Conservatives are proposing there at all. Giving everyone free prescriptions is an absolutely terrible policy - all it does is mandate higher taxes.
Not only that, I fear there's a perverse (though certainly unintended) conseqeuence from offering free prescriptions. If treatment becomes cheaper for the individual, then preventative measures start to look relatively more expensive (since preventative medicines and treatments aren't, for the most part, offered on prescription). Rather than encouraging a healthier society - the stated aim of the policy - I actually think for some people there's potentially an incentive to live a
less healthy lifestyle.
But that's more of a marginal issue - I don't expect that health standards in Wales have precipitously dropped since free prescriptions were brought in. The main issue is one of clumsy and inefficient income redistribution. By all means, offer targeted welfare support to those on low incomes so that they can obtain healthcare. But to give everyone free prescriptions irrespective of their ability to pay? That's mind-boggingly absurd.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 11.55
by Nick Harvey
Why is it that these idiots moan like hell that the Tories haven't got any firm policies, then when the Tories come up with a firm policy, the same bloomin' people........... moan like hell.
Barcode, there are just two things I can't stand about you. Your face.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 12.55
by barcode
Mr Q: you are right about what you are saying that Prevention is better than cure, but this will not help people in the short term, also I dare say No one will be spending that sort of cash, even with its the good times! ( even if it does improve peoples life), In scotland there £2 BILLION back log of road repairs. so there a long list of Cheap skates, that is what the UK is, we want first class services on third class prices
To you Mr Harvey, I do NOT believe that policies is a good idea at this point of time, i'm still to be convinced of any firm policies from the Tories, also I did not moan like hell, as you put it, I just pointed out that this is NOT the best time to be saying this.... especial as there can not take control of welsh for another 2 years, and thus change it.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 14.13
by Mr Q
barcode wrote:Mr Q: you are right about what you are saying that Prevention is better than cure, but this will not help people in the short term, also I dare say No one will be spending that sort of cash, even with its the good times! ( even if it does improve peoples life), In scotland there £2 BILLION back log of road repairs. so there a long list of Cheap skates, that is what the UK is, we want first class services on third class prices
What on earth are you talking about? Are you seriously saying that if people in Wales had to start paying for prescriptions again, they'd just refuse to buy them and... well... die?
I do NOT believe that policies is a good idea at this point of time, i'm still to be convinced of any firm policies from the Tories
Ermm. So, let me get this straight: you don't want the Tories to be coming out with any policies, and yet you still want the Tories to 'convince' you?
No, there's nothing remotely inconsistent about those two statements at all...........
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 14.19
by Jovis
especial as there can not take control of welsh for another 2 years, and thus change it.
Would you leave it until the week before the election then to start telling people what you'd do?
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 15.55
by Nick Harvey
Don't even bother, folks.
Logical argument went out the window with Barcode's bathwater, to mix a metaphor or three.
I just felt the put-down, above, was necessary because he was being about two point eight times more stupid than usual; but it's certainly not one worth following up, because you'll only get somewhere between frustrated and nowhere.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sat 20 Jun, 2009 18.26
by Pete
I've always thought that free prescriptions are likely to have a much smaller effect on taxes than suggested. Passing the enormous tower block in Newcastle where they deal with the ridiculously complex system of exemptions and charges for the system shows how complex and needlessly so it currently it. If its all free, it's therefore much simpler to administer.
I stronly suspect it costs more than £6.70 tp administer the charge in the first place.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sun 21 Jun, 2009 00.18
by Mr Q
Hymagumba wrote:I've always thought that free prescriptions are likely to have a much smaller effect on taxes than suggested. Passing the enormous tower block in Newcastle where they deal with the ridiculously complex system of exemptions and charges for the system shows how complex and needlessly so it currently it. If its all free, it's therefore much simpler to administer.
I stronly suspect it costs more than £6.70 tp administer the charge in the first place.
Well, given that a tax-transfer system already exists (that is, we tax people, and pay welfare to some), my view is the most cost-effective solution is simply to use that, rather than have a parallel system of determining who has low income and then granting rebates or exemptions. Have everyone pay the market price for their prescriptions, and then ensure people on low incomes have enough money to pay for basic necessities (including, of course, life-saving drugs).
Less simple, but more targeted towards healthcare, is to provide those on low incomes with some kind of concessional card which they can present to pharmacies to 'buy' their prescriptions, with the bill being sent back to the government. I prefer this option less, because it implies some level of state paternalism is required, on the basis that we can't trust poor people to look after their own health.
Re: So are Labour on their way out?
Posted: Sun 21 Jun, 2009 13.16
by barcode
I would say, that since prescriptions became free in wales I dare say the number of prescriptions being made up has gone up, Its very likely that if the charges come back in there would drop. and in Scotland this will also happen come 2011.