Andrew Lansley has defended his plans to reform the NHS as a think-tank backed the Government's health bill.

The health secretary was updating MPs after his opposite number in Labour, Andy Burnham, demanded he make a statement to the Commons about Nick Clegg's intervention in the NHS changes.

Mr Burnham's question focused on the Deputy Prime Minister's letter, co-signed with prominent critic Baroness Williams, setting out what alterations he would like made.
In a bid to see off a Liberal Democrat rebellion, Mr Clegg outlined his commitment to ensure patients are put before profit and that there could be no US-style takeover of private health providers.

The bill is about quality and not about competition on price. It will not permit any NHS organisation to be taken over by the private sector.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley

Mr Lansley told the Commons that the senior Lib Dem pair said: "We must rule out beyond doubt any threat of a US-style market in the NHS.
"I wholeheartedly agree. The bill is about quality and not about competition on price. It will not permit any NHS organisation to be taken over by the private sector. It will put patients' interests first. Care will be free based on need."
The health secretary also said: "We have made this legislation better and stronger.
"We have made significant changes to the bill including in response to the NHS future forum's work and we have been open to any further changes that would improve or clarify the bill."

Think tank Reform backs competition clauses in the Government's Health and Social Care Bill

Labour dismissed proposed Lib Dem changes as "cosmetic" alterations designed to help Mr Clegg face down unrest within his party.
Shadow health secretary Mr Burnham claimed the move was either "pre-agreed coalition choreography" or a sign of a Government "in complete disarray".
Downing Street has indicated Prime Minister David Cameron was consulted and does not believe the alterations amount to "significant" amendments.
In order to attend Parliament to answer the question, Mr Lansley had to cancel a long-standing speech to town hall leaders and patient groups.
It comes as a report by the centre-right think-tank Reform found increasing competition in the NHS will bring benefits for patients and boosts productivity.

Andrew Lansley has been heavily criticised over his controversial plans

The organisation published 10 case studies from around the world showing how a "radical change in the delivery of healthcare can result in improved quality and productivity".
It said competition allows new organisations to run services better, more efficiently and often at a lower cost.
It also argued the Government must defend competition clauses in the Health and Social Care Bill as it passes through Parliament.
In examples from the US, the think tank's study unsecured loans says competition can cut hospital admissions and costs.
"In Rhode Island, a private company, Beacon Health Strategies, has created an integrated care pathway for mental healthcare services, which were previously highly fragmented," it said.
"In one year the cost of mental healthcare hospitalisations for children was cut by 20%.
"In Massachusetts, any willing providers were invited to organise community services for low income elderly patients.
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"Patient-centred care management replaced uncoordinated services reducing the number of nursing home admissions by up to 42%."

If the NHS wants to be the best in bad credit loans the world, it should learn from the best in the world and the radical changes that other countries are implementing.

Nick Seddon, deputy director of Reform

In London, researchers said moving all emergency stroke care into eight "hyper-acute stroke units with dedicated specialist staff" from 34 hospitals had led to the highest standards of stroke care in the country.
"Mortality rate was cut to 6% at one hospital compared to national average of 27%, while average length of stay was cut by 23%."
In one region of Finland, a public-private partnership moved joint replacement surgery from five local hospitals to one regional centre.
"The new centre achieves complication rates of less than 1% compared to rates of up to 12% in general hospitals," the study said.
Nick Seddon, Reform's deputy director, said: "Parliament should pass the Health Bill including the clauses on competition, not because the Bill is perfect but because the NHS must move on.
"If the NHS wants to be the best in the world, it should learn from the best in the world and the radical changes that other countries are implementing."
Local council leaders had expected face-to-face talks with the Health Secretary on Tuesday afternoon. They wanted reassurance on concerns vulnerable groups will be failed.
But Mr Lansley's spokesman has confirmed he would no longer be able to attend due to developments in the Commons.