Widower of health system reformist hits out at ‘spin’ and ‘privatisation’

The widower of Susie Long, who died trying to reform Ireland’s two-tier health system, has claimed Health Minister James Reilly’s plan for universal health insurance is the polar opposite of what she wanted.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after the White Paper document was launched, Conor Mac Liam said despite the Government “spin”, the proposal is effectively “privatising” the system.

Ms Long died on October 12, 2007, after a two-year battle with bowel cancer. Despite seeking help from her GP in 2005, she was told there was a seven-month public waiting list for colonoscopy, and was advised to “skip the queue” by paying for private care.

The 42-year-old refused as she strongly disagreed with the two-tier health system, resulting in her cancer spreading before she was able to access help publicly.

The controversy led to renewed calls for the health service to be reformed to prevent another tragedy.

Mr Mac Liam, who is a Socialist Party member and Anti-Austerity Alliance candidate for Kilkenny in this year’s local elections, said Mr Reilly’s reform is the antithesis of what his wife sought.

“What Susie wanted was a single-tier public health system that works. What this amounts to is the privatisation of the system.

“He [Dr Reilly] says it is a win-win for everybody, but it is only going to be a win-win for the private health insurers.

“This plan is full of grandiose promises, but people are going to be asked to pay more for something they should be entitled to receive.

“Susie wanted a proper system funded by taxation, not this ‘free’ healthcare that is, in effect, loading people with extra premiums.”

Mr Reilly’s plan was backed by Barnardos, the children’s charity, which said that if it is not “thwarted before it has begun, by unrealistic budgeting”, the policy could prove to be “the most radical reform of the delivery of the health service in years”.

However, further criticism came from the Irish Medical Organisation, which said the policy is “tying Ireland” to the Dutch model “even as it is coming unstuck in its home country”.

The union is in the midst of a row with Government over the plan for free GP care for under-6s, which is seen as a first step towards universal health insurance but could hit GP pay packets.

Its president, Matthew Sadlier, said: “Contrary to what Government suggests, the insurance model is not the be-all and end-all of funding for health services.

“There are alternative funding strategies worth debating, including an expanded social insurance model and the current tax-based model.

“In Holland, the initial success of their insurance model has been replaced by growing problems. The Dutch health system is now one of the most expensive in the OECD and serious questions have been raised over its financial stability.

“It should be of particular concern to us in Ireland to note that in Holland the minimum basket of services covered has reduced, and more and more people are now supplementing their cover with private health insurance,” he said.