Thread by @MrMarkEThomas

Thread (1/14)
This thread explains the assault the UK government is mounting on the NHS: its historical roots, its recent manifestations and the plans for the future.
Most importantly, it explains what we need to do to prevent the assault succeeding.

(2/14)
If it seems hard to believe that any UK government would think healthcare could be shifted from the state to privately owned and run medical facilities, make sure you read the cabinet paper from 1982 cited at the end of this article.
99-percent.org/what-is-the-ma…

(3/14)
Over the last 12 years, the assault on the NHS has been waged largely by economic means – starving the NHS of funds so that it increasingly struggles to perform.
99-percent.org/crisis-what-cr…

(4/14)
This assault was – like the rest of the UK’s damaging austerity programme – justified on the basis of the ‘state of government finances.’ As is becoming more widely understood this justification was always entirely specious.
99-percent.org/austerity-why-…

(5/14)
More recently, despite the obvious long-term underpayment of NHS staff, the government has declared that now is not the time to raise their pay even in line with – let alone above – inflation.
99-percent.org/who-are-the-hi…

(6/14)
And in a highly suspicious approach to pandemic response, the government has spent £billions of taxpayers’ money on private sector suppliers with no expertise (but strong links to the party) often in return for no usable products.
99-percent.org/money-for-noth…

(7/14)
Even more extraordinary, the government side-lined the NHS in constructing its failing test & trace system – costing an unbelievable £37 billion – and nevertheless has branded it as “NHS test & trace” to raise frustration with the real NHS
99-percent.org/whats-in-a-nam…

(8/14)
Now the government has stepped-up its attack. The Health & Care Bill, which has now become law, gives ministers all the powers they need to make the UK system resemble that of the US
99-percent.org/amending-the-h…

(9/14)
The government of course denies that this is its plan – but the evidence is clear.
99-percent.org/government-res…

(10/14)
And as @EveryDoctorUK has shown – there has already been enormous privatisation via contracting-out. Take a look at their coming events.

https://twitter.com/EveryDoctorUK/status/1560627896796020736?s=20&t=eG81PjQII3pNmK1ZixP4Eg

(11/14)
And this is just one of four ways, the government plans to privatise the NHS in future.
99-percent.org/four-ways-to-p…

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This will be ruinous to many UK citizens who will not be able to afford proper healthcare. Many will go bankrupt; some will die.
99-percent.org/the-reality-of…

(13/14)
The NHS is a vital part of the post-war social contract. Once it is gone, we may never get it back. Now is the time to take these threats seriously.
99-percent.org/five-actions-t…

(14/14)
The @99organisation and the @NHAparty have jointly initiated a project to help protect the NHS. Let us know if you would like to lend a hand.
99-percent.org/projects/helpi…

Join one of @EveryDoctorUK's events to learn about #NHSPrivatisation, share stories about what's happening in your area & direct the next steps of the campaign to halt + reverse it. Open to all
Sign up bit.ly/Events-Sign-Up