I have
been contacted by a number of constituents recently regarding concerns the NHS
should be kept outside of any future trade deals with the US.
As I have
stated repeatedly in the past, if the NHS were ever ‘on the table’ in future
deals with the US I would strongly oppose this. However, I am reassured by both
our Government and the US Government who have repeatedly said, at every level,
that the NHS will not be a part of any future trade deal.
I feel it
is important to clarify that a trade deal would never have the power to stop
the NHS being a free, universal service and there is legislation already in
place regarding restrictions and regulations for private companies, including
US companies, to bid for contracts to provide NHS services.
There are
many high-profile politicians within the US who are publicly blaming the UK and
other European countries for the high cost of medications and healthcare within
the US. However, the reality is the UK, through the NHS and Department of
Health and Social Care initiatives, have the bargaining power to negotiate
lower prices of medicines whereas the US does not have national procurement
initiates and therefore do not hold the same bargaining power. As I understand
it, national bargaining is banned in the US following pharmaceutical lobbying,
the group who would of course be severely financially impacted by such
initiatives, and therefore the most effective step the US could take to reduce
costs would be to change their own laws. I believe it is easier for US politicians
to use the UK and European countries as a ‘scapegoats’ for the issues within US
healthcare to give the impression it is out of their hands, regardless of the
facts of the situation.
As a
result, there is no need for legislation to protect the NHS as it is not on
offer. Implementing legislation would be timely and costly and potentially
delay other more urgent legislation. As trade deals are already in the works,
it would not be possible to implement without a great deal of resources and
time from across both Houses, at great cost to the taxpayer. This would not be
a good use of parliamentary or government time when it is unnecessary.
The Prime
Minister has reiterated his commitment, both publicly and privately, to the NHS
and I assure you none of my colleagues across the house would support the NHS
being a part of trade deals. It is one of our most loved institutions and has
been in the hands of Conservative governments for the majority of its time. It
will always be safe in our hands.
I hope
this clarifies my position and reassures you that the NHS would never be open
to negotiations in a trade deal with the US.
