Pay More Tax To Fund Nhs?

[Zacs-Master]

Would you, like 49% of the population (according to the poles), be prepared to pay more income tax for an improved NHS? If you're retired let's pretend you are still working.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/15/voters-tax-fund-nhs-poll

[EDDIE51]

Ummmm Look at my post I said that those who already get free prescriptions should be exempt from the charges. So only those who can afford it pay.

[ummmm]

It doesn't work like that Eddie. People in full time work, after rent/bills/food can still be skint.

[lindapalmara]

No but I would vote to get rid of useless Managers appointed under Labour and take the Credit cards from anyone not resident here BEFORE treatment, plus lots of other money saving schemes.

[Gromit]

No.

The majority of the NHS is now privatised. More tax money would just result in bigger profits for healthcare companies, GPs, Service Companies.

[EDDIE51]

Ummmm if there was a universal increase in income tax those people would have less take home pay and be even more 'skint', even if they did not use the NHS. At least my suggestion makes those who use it pay for it, I do not think that system would be perfect but it is better than all who work paying they may not use.
If we carried this 'extra income tax' further where would it end?
Why not abolish car tax and add that to income tax for example !

[Cloverjo]

I would be happy to pay more tax to fund the NHS, having seen the help it has given my mum in the last couple of years.
Eddie51 says he would be out of pocket by a universal tax as he has needed very little help, but who knows what will happen in the future? (Sorry Eddie, not trying to be doom and gloom) I hope you'll be fine, but isn't it good to know the NHS is free for all those who need it?
We should charge foreigners, though.

[Cloverjo]

When I say foreigners, I mean holidaymakers not foreign people living and working here.

[ummmm]

I don't know. I just don't like the thought of someone having a dilemma. Buy my child new shoes that they really need....or see a doctor that they really need.

How much would it go up?

[EDDIE51]

Ummmm You would never have to make that decision . Children's treatment would be free just as it is now , but if parents were tax payers they would be paying more in income tax.

[ummmm]

No...I mean the parent might need to see a doctor but puts a child needs before their own health.

[TWR]

W/End P---S Heads should be charged, this would help.

[EDDIE51]

ummmm any parent who could be in that financial position would qualify for 'in work benefits' such as working tax credit and so would get free prescriptions now and be exempt from the charges as I have already said.

[Graham-W]

With almost 30 million working in the UK an increase in tax of £30 per month for each working person would raise a billion pounds for the NHS. Is that enough?
If there is any left over how could we ensure it wouldn't be used for non-health related things.

[Zacs-Master]

Graham, at roughly £109b a year to fund the NHS it wouldn't make much of a difference.

[Graham-W]

Thanks zac. So to make a 10% difference each working person would need to add £300 per month. I certainly couldn't afford that. Economies must be made within the NHS if it's to continue in it's present form.

[dave50]

No.

[Zacs-Master]

I think that's very apparent. If you read the link it suggests that posts like this might nudge the government in the right direction. I won't hold my breath.

[Zacs-Master]

Sorry, not 'posts like this'. polls like this.

[dave50]

Also why do some object so much when the private sector gets involved in the NHS? As long as the tax payer gets value for money and it is still free at the point of delivery, what does it matter?

[factor-fiction]

Often when people say more tax should be paid they really mean they think those better of than them should pay more tax. I wonder if the 35% that said they would be happy to pay another 2p in the £ would still be happy when that translates to around £25 a month.
What could be tried is a voluntary donation service- it would be interesting to see whether 49% of people would pay the same amount then.