One in seven voters now favour a health insurance scheme to pay the £192billion cost of the NHS.
An exclusive poll for the Sunday Mirror shows that while more than six in ten people still think the NHS should be taxpayer funded a significant 14% say a compulsory social insurance scheme would be better.
But nearly one in ten Tory voters would deny treatment to those without it.
The survey by Electoral Calculus and Find Out Now shows that more people are losing faith in the NHS to deliver as the pandemic builds up a backlog of those awaiting treatment.
One in three are no longer confident the health service can provide everyday care for families.
And 23% say they are losing faith in NHS ability to deliver even emergency care.
Six in ten blame lack of money for the difficulties doctors and nurses face in caring for patients but more than half also cite government incompetence as the reason.
Chris Holbrook of Find Out Now said: “Many see the NHS as the backbone of the nation, so it’s surprising to find such a substantial lack of confidence in it.
“This suggests big changes are needed, particularly in funding and how it is managed.”
Martin Baxter of Electoral Calculus added: “People’s confidence in the health system is fraying.”
France and Germany have statutory health insurance systems to pay for care.
In France those who cannot pay are covered by the government, while in Germany insurance is funded by employer/employee and pension contributions.
- Find Out Now polled 2,087 adults online on 26 January.
