Britain can afford the NHS—and it must to reduce fear during a period of crisis

In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne. In that same year, Aneurin Bevan, secretary of state for health and founder of Britain’s National Health Service, published his seminal book In Place of Fear.1 Bevan wrote: “The essence of a satisfactory health service is that the rich and the poor are treated alike, that poverty is not a disability, and wealth is not advantaged.”2 It was a remarkable period in British history. As with many universal healthcare (UHC) reforms around the world, the NHS was founded in the wake of crises.3 After World War II, rationing, falling living standards, and high military spending led to the term “austerity” being used for economic policy.* 4 In spite of significant economic challenges, when the LabourGovernment came to power in 1945, the “Great Leveller”5 of war had resulted in an awareness that another way was possible. There was an aspiration for the population to live with safe housing and treatment of ill health regardless of their position in society.6 In place of the fear households had endured that at any moment they could face the catastrophic costs of ill health, a National Health Service emerged, based on clinical need, not ability to pay.7 The NHS alleviated the financial hardship and fear that had been associated with poor health, and despite the challenges, Britain in the 1950s was thriving.