On this day, 5 July 1948, the UK National Health Service (NHS) was founded, on the principle that medical treatment should be provided according to need rather than the ability to pay. During World War II, to motivate millions of people to sacrifice and dedicate themselves to the war effort, the government promised reforms to benefit working class people after the war was over. Conservative MP Quentin Hogg warned Parliament that ‘if you do not give the people social reform, they are going to give you social revolution.’ Sure enough, after the war ended, servicemen returning home, and others, began demanding better conditions, backing it up with direct action, like a huge wave of squatting.
The NHS was part of a package of reforms introduced following the conflict to ensure social peace. But almost right away, it came under attack. Legislation to bring in prescription charges was introduced by the Labour Party in 1949. Then fees for dental treatments were introduced, and ever since the free, socialised service has been under attack from successive governments who have gradually introduced more charges, marketisation and privatisation. And it’s up to us, the working class, to defend it.
This is an informative account and analysis of the gradual erosion of the NHS: https://libcom.org/library/driving-nhs-market https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1753847121467097/?type=3