Do You Agree?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2742804/Axe-free-prescriptions-TV-licences-winter-fuel-allowance-OAPs-help-fund-care-system.html

I do providing that those extra funds pay for the care of those who own their own houses, without the need for them to sell their houses, so as to pay for that care.

[anotheoldgit]

ColinandJess

What are your thoughts on those who's only assets are the roofs above their heads, one which they have skimped and saved all their life to own, only then to be forced to sell that property so as to pay for their care?

I do believe they do not have to do this in Scotland.

[Baldric]

Winter FA should be stopped for those that no longer live in the UK
A TV is not essential, pay for your Licence if you want one.
Free Prescriptions should continue to be free.

[Sqad]

All people should be charged "something" for their prescriptions, including OAP's and the chronic sick. The NHS bill for prescription drugs is roughly just under £10 billion a year........BILLION! and 80% of these prescriptions are free, that is the patient does not contribute a penny.
This is unsustainable in this form.

We have had endless threads about why the NHS hasn't got up to date Proton Beam Therapy and the answer is quite simple in that the money is spent on other things..Walk -In centres, NHS 24 hour and so on.

OAP's should pay 10% of each prescription item.

[Baldric]

CandJ, so one half of a home-owning couple is in need of care, the other half is fighting fit, what happens there?

(I'm guessing you are not a home owner)

[ludwig]

No. I'm against means testing pensions.

I'd rather see them help fund the healthcare system by getting Starbucks and Amazon to pay their taxes.

[sandyRoe]

The trouble with this idea is that it would probably cost more to administer these means-tested schemes than it would save.

[jackthehat]

I believe that the WFA ought to be means-tested and paid only to those British 'residents' who qualify.

The TV licence should be halved where it is now free....

I also believe that the care-system for the elderly needs a root and branch overhaul, and a more equitable balance struck as regards costs/funding.

[ludwig]

Jack, the WFA is about the only thing I'd think about changing. The trouble is as sandy says, it'd probably cost more to do the means testing admin than you'd save by doing it.

[jno]

people fund the NHS in their younger years by not using it much, because they're healthy. When they age, they're less healthy, and that's when they need more prescriptions. Penalising the sick is what the NHS was brought into being to avoid.

Fuel allowance could be rationed to those in need, though. Possibly TV too, though I doubt making rich over-75s pay for licences is going to rescue the economy.

But why not just collect tax from businesses instead? If Tesco paid what it should, it would cover TV licences for everyone in the land.

[Sqad]

jno

\\\\ When they age, they're less healthy, and that's when they need more prescriptions.\\\

Of which 80% are free.....they don't have to pay one penny.

[anotheoldgit]

Sqad

/// All people should be charged "something" for their prescriptions, including OAP's and the chronic sick. ///

Don't you think that the large majority of OAP's (I prefer to call them senior citizens) have during their life paid enough into the NHS, without the need to pay further from their meagre pension, especially if they are chronically sick, or then perhaps you would wish to see more die because they can't afford to pay for the drugs that could extend their lives?

/// We have had endless threads about why the NHS hasn't got up to date Proton Beam Therapy and the answer is quite simple in that the money is spent on other things..Walk -In centres, NHS 24 hour and so on. ///

You forgot to mention the burden it has been forced to bear, due to the past mass immigration policy.

[jno]

Sqad, yes, I know, but the proposal is to end that?

[bednobs]

i don't see why people shouldn't have to sell their houses to fund another home (in a care home). it's hardly like you can live in two places at once. This IS what people scrimp and save for isn't it? If not, what?

[Sqad]

AOG.......whenever i suggest that payment should pass between health provider and patient, particularly as that patient be a "Senior Citizen" there is usually, if not always a post of astonishment and query.

I would like everyone to have free healthcare to the best surgeons and physicians, the most up to date investigation and treatment patterns, reassurances that in their old age they are treated with dignity in the luxury of first class nursing homes..............BUT.........the NHS and other aspects of the " we will look after you from birth to death" society cannot afford this.

Other European countries e.g Spain and France to name just two, seem to be able to charge the "senior citizens" a certain percentage of the cost of the prescriptions without too much angst on the part of the rest of the population.

Off to my Club now, so I am not being rude if it takes me some time to answer your further queries.......should there be some.

[anotheoldgit]

bednobs

/// i don't see why people shouldn't have to sell their houses to fund another home (in a care home). it's hardly like you can live in two places at once. This IS what people scrimp and save for isn't it? If not, what? ///

Perhaps to be able to pass a little on to your children, grandchildren etc. after all these days they need a little lift to get them on the housing ladder.

[bednobs]

they don't "need" it at all! why should taxpayers pay for someones care in order that their sons and daughters can get on the housing ladder??