NHS THREAT FROM EU DEAL HIGHLIGHTED BY GREEN YES
Green Yes, the Scottish Green Party's campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum, is highlighting the threat to Scotland's NHS from the EU-US trade deal known as TTIP.
During today's statement in parliament on the future of the NHS in Scotland, Green MSP Alison Johnstone asked Health Secretary Alex Neil to come out strongly against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
The TTIP deal would allow public services to be open to private competition, with multinational firms able to sue governments that restrict competition.
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian, said:
"The NHS in England is under direct threat from TTIP as the UK Government has opened the service up to private provision, and there is growing concern that the Scottish NHS will come under pressure from corporate interests. Scotland needs its own voice in these negotiations, and while I welcome Alex Neil's statement that the Scottish Government wants the health service exempted from TTIP, I remain concerned that we don't have the power to properly oppose these deals.
"Greens have been the only political party campaigning against this trade deal. We believe strongly in a health service in public hands and free at the point of need, and I view a Yes vote as an opportunity to protect it."