Public health system is being run down for benefit of private companies

EVERYBODY seems to be asking how did our health service get into such a shambles.

Well, there’s really no mystery about it.

Ireland is increasingly seen as an attractive place to do business by health companies eager for a slice of the Celtic Tiger.

The Government is in thrall to the neo-liberal economic model that favours privatisation of healthcare, despite its dreadful track record in countries like the US in providing healthcare to ordinary citizens. And what would the biggest obstacle be to any private health company interested in doing business here?

Why, a vibrant and functioning public healthcare system, of course. You don’t need to be a genius to work this out: if the public healthcare system actually works well, there’d be no reason for anyone to bother signing up to a private health plan.

Therefore, to open the field for private health companies interested in making a profit, the public health system must first be run into the ground. They are in direct opposition to each other.

And the first task of any neo-liberal government is to ensure the public health system is made as ineffective as possible, driving ordinary people into the eager arms of the private companies.

The real question is how long are we going to put up with it?

Nick Folley

36 Ardcarrig

Carrigaline

Co Cork