Madam, – I agree with Prof Joe Barry’s belief that citizens are sick and tired of the current two-tier dysfunctional health system and its financing (January 11th).
Not only present-day Opposition political parties are proponents of universal health insurance. I recall, in the mid-1950s, that the late Seán Lemass was subjected to considerable criticism, not only from the then taoiseach, the late Mr Costello and his colleagues, but also from his own party activists (Mount Street should examine the Dublin South West Comhairle Dáil records to reacquaint themselves with how a democratic party conducted its affairs), because he made clear that he was not over-enamoured of the proposed establishment of what later became the VHI.
He considered that privately- funded health insurance could (not would, but could) in time develop into a “two-speed” (sound familiar?) healthcare system leading inevitably to “patient segregation” on the basis of “funds”. (The late taoiseach used each of those terms in defending his agnosticism towards what was then being discussed.) He stressed that the “Cárta Árachais”, at the time a part of the tax system, was the intended precursor of a nationally tax-funded system at the core of which had to be “patient need”, not the ability to pay.
Of course nobody would suggest that the VHI is the catalyst for the current health care shambles, but the total embrace, by the political pygmies who have led Fianna Fáil in recent times, of policies which hand over public property for the personal enrichment of millionaire medicos and their investment friends, are at the heart of the present sick health system.
These policies, for which Messrs Ahern and Cowen received no political mandate whatsoever, are further proof of how far from its deep roots of decency the present day Fianna Fáil party has been dragged.
Prof Barry should take heart that it is not only supporters of the Opposition parties who wish to adopt a properly funded health care policy which serves equally all the sick and afflicted. – Is mise,
RONALD PHELAN,
St Gabriel’s,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.
Madam, – I wish to applaud the VHI for its recent 45 per cent increase in some of its premiums. By making health insurance unaffordable, we as a nation will finally achieve what everybody seems to want – a one-tier health service.
So why is everybody complaining? – Yours, etc,