The Health and Social Care Bill has now entered the last stages of its passage through the House of Lords.
The Government's controversial Health and Social Care Bill is now in the last stages of its passage through the House of Lords. Over the next weeks, Peers will be debating amendments to the Bill before voting on it. It's our last real opportunity to get significant changes made to measures, which could break up and sell off parts of our health service.
One crucial area of concern is the proposal to lift the Private Patient Income Cap. This would allow NHS hospitals to switch priorities and take on a greater proportion of private paying patients - making up to 49% of all income. This change threatens to push NHS patients to the back of the queue for treatment, as hospitals under pressure to make savings try to boost private income. Waiting lists could soar as those able to pay to jump the queue have greater opportunity to do so.
The Lords are due to debate three amendments to the Bill, which seek to stop the raising of the Private Patient Income Cap. I've just taken action to "adopt" and write to a member of the House of Lords, asking them to vote for the amendments.
You can use Going to Work's "Adopt a Peer" tool to easily write or email a Peer. they are not as used to individual lobbying as MP's, so receiving personal contacts from members of the public will really get their attention.
From Bob Mitchell
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