A bill which aims to curb the private sector's role in the NHS has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle.
Under the bill, compulsory tendering for NHS contracts would end and NHS hospitals' income generated by private patients would be restricted.
Although MPs backed it in a vote by 241 to 18, as a private member's bill it has only a slim chance of becoming law.
The government insisted its priority was to ensure care was "delivered in the right way for patients".
Labour MP Clive Efford brought in the bill, which he said would "cut the heart out" of the coalition's reforms.
It would restore ultimate responsibility for the NHS to the health secretary, stop NHS hospitals earning up to 49% of their income from private patients, and would exempt the NHS from an EU-US trade treaty known as TTIP.
Critics fear TTIP could lead to American companies suing future governments for reversing privatisation.
Those who voted in favour of the bill included two Conservative and seven Lib Dem rebels.MAKE A STAND AGAINST THIS-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30137368
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