According to national newspapers, GPs are asking patients whether they have private medical insurance (PMI) and encouraging them to use it, go private to save NHS millions, as most CCG (Care Commissioning Group) are under immense pressure to save money, not to go in red.
Some OAPs may join PMI scheme, out of guilt, even though it may be too expensive, as unlike in USA, where MI premiums do not go up with age, here MI double as we reach retirement age and use MI more often than young people.
So it is in the interest of the MI providers for us to leave when premiums become too expensive. This is in sharp contrast to BMA's policy that all patients irrespective of their age, have absolute right to use NHS without feeling guilty.
This is indeed a sad reflection on our bleeding heart politicians who care more and give away billions in overseas aid when our own people go hungry, live in overcrowded accommodations and suffer in silence.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
