The Sunday Telegraph

More cash for the NHS

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SIR – I am getting tired of people proudly stating that they pay for their own healthcare (Letters, April 1).

I have paid for my healthcare by paying my National Insurance dues. That the fee has not been enough is no fault of mine; the Government has not asked me to pay more.

The problem is that if more were to be charged in taxes, the Government in power would not be re-elected. Clearly, British voters do not appreciate the NHS quite as much as they would like us to believe, and government­s do not expect people to cast their votes for more taxes. Chris Harding

Parkstone, Dorset

SIR – The NHS needs more money but it cannot survive on the same funding model that has existed for the past 70 years. However, there is a workable alternativ­e.

This would involve an arrangemen­t whereby all those below an annual income set to cover approximat­ely two thirds of the population would continue to receive free NHS services. Those above that level would be responsibl­e for their own healthcare. In later life, or if their income fell below the set level for whatever reason, these people would again become eligible for free NHS and social care services.

Those not covered would have the options of paying for their own healthcare, taking out health insurance with one of the private companies, or insuring with a new company set up under the auspices of the NHS, which would provide the same services as those given to the rest of the population. Such a scheme would reduce overall healthcare costs and might well be acceptable to the majority of the public who want to ensure the survival of the NHS. Sir Terence English FRCS

Oxford

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