Mouse
Farage has stated publicly that he wants to replace the NHS with an insurance based system. That’s a good enough reason never to vote for him or his company.
This has been mentioned on GN fairly regularly, but I've never seen any responses on the issue... no debate about it.
I find that odd because as we age, we become more susceptible to illness and diseases - chronic illnesses, too, and private health insurance is not designed to cover chronic conditions. Nor pre-existing ones.
Also, unless you have considerable disposable income, choosing an insurance package may limit you to the very basics and, as none of us know what's round the corner, the level of cover you get for a particular disease may mean that you end up having to pay out-of-pocket.
Private health insurance is really for short-term, acute illness - uncomplicated and easy to treat.
I have witnessed an American family go from 'riches' to 'rags' because 3 family members were unfortunate enough to contract cancer; in the two males, it was hereditary, and the female family member was diagnosed with breast cancer. They lost their business, and ultimately, they lost their home, even though, initially, they had comprehensive cover.
Personally, I don't believe he would 'get rid' of the NHS - he couldn't, because even he must be aware that the impoverished sick have to be cared for, as they are in the US via Medicaid and Medicare - for which you have to qualify, but which might still leave you with significant medical bills.
I can only assume that Farage's supporters have weighed this up and come to the conclusion that it's worth it.
I don't fetishise the NHS as a 'sacred cow' - having spent two separate periods of 3-month stays in a hospital bed, I saw lots of waste, ill-thought-through 'rituals', nonsensical rules, and came into contact with nurses who were less than supportive, but I do believe in universal health-care. I believe a government should invest in its people because, ultimately, it is the people who will be the backbone of a successful economy.
I'd like to hear Farage expand on his plans for the NHS, and for private insurance. Not that I intend to vote for Reform, I believe they are a single-issue party focusing on 'the boats' and thereby simplifying the complex political landscape. A landscape that has, IMO, emerged since the Thatcher 'revolution' in the late 70s.