THE Tories should come clean on their plans for the NHS says Pendle Labour MP Gordon Prentice.
His call follows an article in a Sunday newspaper in which Conservative MP Liam Fox said conditions such as hip and knee replacements and hernia and cataract operations should be covered by private medical insurance.
"This is a shameful thing to say," said Mr Prentice.
"There were nearly 4,000 of these operations in East Lancashire during 1998/99. Many were needed by elderly people but pensioners are the least likely to obtain affordable private medical insurance."
The MP added: "A lot of my constituents just cannot afford to fork out for private medical insurance. Conservative policies would deny everyone who is not insured the care they need."
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