A fine by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for unfair pricing by private health companies is a rare story that looks set to become increasingly common. We need to look no further than the health and care bill put before parliament earlier this month. Already, most mental health services are provided privately to the NHS. Ministers claim that it is not in their interests to pay higher prices while health services are free at the point of use and the taxpayer picks up the bill. But the caseload at the CMA and the likely increase in private provision under the new bill suggest the fight against price gouging is only going to become more intense.

Source: The Guardian July 29, 2021 18:34 UTC