The overhaul of the NHS in England presents "huge opportunities" to the private sector, a health minister says.
Lord Howe also said it should not matter "one jot" who provided care to NHS patients as long as it was free at the point of delivery.
The comments - made in a speech to private health groups in London - have reignited the row over the future role of competition in the NHS.
Unions said they demonstrated a desire to break-up the NHS.
Lord Howe was addressing the conference on the day the Health Bill was being debated by MPs in the House of Commons.
'Great opportunity'The legislation has proved to be one of the most controversial areas of government policy.
It had to be put on hold earlier this year while ministers re-consulted on the proposals amid mounting criticism.
The two-month "listening exercise" resulted in a series of concessions being made, although many groups including unions, opposition MPs and academics still have concerns.
The overhaul involves giving GP-led groups control of the NHS budget, while opening up the health service to greater competition.
Ministers have always stressed they want to use competition as a way of driving up standards in care.
It was a theme taken up by Lord Howe in his speech.
He said standards varied throughout the NHS and by giving patients more power and creating a more transparent system with a "broader range of providers" performance could be improved.
He then said: "To be honest I don't think it should matter one jot whether a patient is looked after by a hospital or a medical professional from the public, private or charitable sector."
He then went on to say what was important was that the care was at the point of delivery and competition was allowed on quality not price.
"The NHS isn't a place to earn a fast buck. There are some outstanding performers in the NHS and they will not give up their patients easily."
He said that the changes being made presented "huge opportunities" to private groups who could provide high quality care.
And he added: "In the coming months and years, the NHS is going to evolve and grow into a very different animal."
Christina McAnea, head of health at Unison, said: "It is clear that the government does want to break-up the NHS and get more private sector involvement.
"Patients do care deeply who they are seen by. They do not like the thought of private providers making profits from care."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-14821946
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