Irish Health System – Sick as a dog

There’s no denying it, the Irish health service is a shambles. Every Irish person would agree with that statement. However, there may be disagreement on what to do. Some say thatthe health service is a black hole, that money is being poured into it with no return. This is a half truth. Yes there is money going into the Health Service Executive but it seems to be spent on finding new ways to make cuts to services, not the services themselves. Secondly, we only spend 90% of the EU average health spend.

Some think the solution lies with more private health care. One only has to take a look at the American system to see what that means. Under this system you don’t get seen to unless you cough up the dough first. Essentially it means that the value of your life is directly proportionate to your ability to pay.

Private health care is primarily about profit. Private health care operators cherry pick the lucrative procedures but the public sector is left to deal with serious illness. The agenda of the Irish government in its ideological battle against public health is plain to see when you consider the areas it is making cuts – you guessed it, the ones that the speculators want to get their hands on.

Who are these speculators? They are property developers, racing magnates and market “players”. These people know plenty about lining their pockets at other peoples’ expense but little about medicine. In fact with profit as their primary mission, costs will be cut and quality will deteriorate.

Last week, The Socialist Party in Ireland launched a national campaign for a free public health service. You can see and hear the launch meeting at http://www.socialistparty.net or Here 

Speakers included Joe Higgins, Prof. John Crown,  Orla Hardiman and a nurse from Tallaght hospital.

Other related links:

Health minister Harney goes to superbowl.

Susie Long’s story

Death of Susie Long

Health Cuts in North East 

~ by Marcas MacCaoimhín on February 6, 2008.