The National Health Service was established in the UK to provide healthcare for all the citizens based on their need rather than their ability to pay. Even though it has been providing free health care services since 1948, the NHS has been embroiled in the controversial debate of inefficiency due to bureaucracy; it still plays an important role in the healthcare sector. The NHS should not be privatized as this will lead to the fragmentation of health services and less accountability with the privatization, with profits being the primary focus.
Political consideration
The argument in favor of privatization is that there will be no political interference with regards to the new set up of privatization. The NHS is currently subject to political interference with some appointments deemed to be political appointees. The political appointees cannot run the NHS with professionalism as they lack the security of tenure in their offices. (Kamerman & Kahn, 2014).The counter argument to this position is that politicians are part and parcel of the society and will always intervene in any situation for the good of the society. They can still interfere with the private companies by summoning them before select parliamentary committees to interrogate them as regards the public interest.
Economic consideration
The argument against the privatization is that the transfer of services to the private investors will eventually result in a monopoly by private health care providers which will lead to unchecked exploitation by these companies. (Frith, 2013). The private monopoly will not fall under the scrutiny of the public and thus the patients will be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The counter argument to this position is that the possibility of a monopoly emerging is remote as the different companies will be competing to get individual market share and will be in competition with each other. (Tallis & Davis, 2013). This argument takes the assumption that the private companies will take a collective position to form a monopoly which is a far-fetched presupposition. There are government institutions that are tasked with checking against monopolistic tendencies in the market.
Social concerns
. The argument in favor of privatizing the NHS is that the private companies will run the sector with professionalism, business ethics and sound economic principles. (Heins, 2013) .The government run NHS is currently operated on the premise of using it as an election platform to get votes despite its inefficiencies. The government in trying to please the voters may avoid cost cutting measures such as retrenching excess workers for fear of the repercussion from the electorate. The argument against this position is that not all private companies run their companies with efficiency and economic principles and many of them fail or require government bailout to continue operating. The society has the right to hold the politicians responsible every election period and using the NHS is part of that right. (Sandel, 2012). The electorate have the right to demand quality provision of services.
Technological consideration
The argument against the technological consideration is that the outcomes of using new technology are largely dependent on skill levels and not entirely on technology. Different devices that are produced by different manufacturers may not all be equally effective. (Sloan & Hsieh, 2012). The argument that counters this position is that the skill levels come with the continued use and that competence is developed over time. The most mediocre person can become adept in using any technology with proper training. The second point is countered by stating that the choice of a vendor is determined by the procurement department who due a due diligence to identify the best vendors.
Legal considerations
The argument in favor of the privatizing group is that the reforms are legal and within the framework of the statutes of the country that are being revised. (King & Crewe, 2014). The systematic dismantling that is being undertaken manages to give private investors the legal standing to file for law suits when their position is not favored. The argument against this position is that the ultimate jurisdiction lies with the will and aspirations of the electorate and not the piecemeal legal amendments. The law should be the reflection of the collective aspiration of the people and in this case, it does not. For the new laws to be legitimized, a public referendum should be conducted to give it legitimacy.
The NHS has been in operation for more than 60 years providing healthcare for millions of the UK citizens and contributed to its social welfare of healthy citizens. The government faithfully implemented its social responsibility by providing quality and affordable health care to segments of the society that were disadvantaged. The privatization of the NHS would be politically suicidal for the proponents, who be seen as betraying their duty to their constituents. The economic benefits would only accrue to a few investors and not the general British society. The social responsibility cannot be negated nor cancelled by enacting new legislation, but rather should be to improve its operations. The NHS should be refined and strengthened where it is weak and remain under the control of the UK government.
References
Farrow, T. C. W. (2014). Civil justice, privatization, and democracy. Toronto: University of Toronto
Frith, L. (2013). The NHS and market forces in healthcare: The need for organisational ethics. Journal of Medical Ethics, 39(1), 17-21. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/43282645
Kamerman, S. B., & Kahn, A. J. (2014). Privatization and the Welfare State. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
King, A., & Crewe, I. (2014). The blunders of our governments. London: Oneworld Publications.
Loewenstein, A. (2017). Disaster capitalism. Verso Books.
Sandel, M. J. (2012). What money can't buy: The moral limits of markets. London: Allen Lane.
Sloan, F., & Hsieh, C. (2012). Health Economics. MIT Press. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt5hhc4d
Tallis, R., & Davis, J. (2013). NHS SOS: How the NHS was betrayed - and how we can save it. Oneworld Publications.
