Healthcare charges - Vulnerable people need most help

Parents of young children are being bombarded on all sides in the current economic difficulties.

But the parents of sickly children, such as those suffering from asthma and dangerous allergies, are particularly hard hit.

Most people without medical cards visit their doctor two or three times a year. Even though they can claim tax relief for those visits, 65% say that they frequently postpone seeing the doctor in the hope of obviating the need for the visit.

But depriving their children is a different matter. Responsible parents want the best for their children, which means not taking any chances with their health, especially with the proliferation of new dangerous bugs in recent years. In addition, they have to bring their children to the dentist or optician for treatment when necessary. A study of more than 400 adults found that 86% of families find it hard to stay healthy, because of increasing medical expenses. This, of course, is on top of the rise in the cost of living and other financial demands.

In many countries, especially France, Germany, the Scandinavian region and Canada, there is no charge for primary health care, such as a GP consultation. The State, or an insurance-based model, covers the cost.

In other countries there are no charges for medical treatment for children. Children are among the most vulnerable and they represent the country’s future, so a responsible society should endeavour to ensure all its children have proper healthcare in their formative years.

It can be a particular struggle for parents with children suffering from common childhood ailments like asthma. Some children may also be sick frequently with other ailments, which can add significantly to the financial burden on a family.

In fairness many doctors practice compassionate pricing when it comes to treating a number of children from the same family, but that is up to the individual practitioner. It can be a matter of hit and miss for the family with sickly children.

Just because somebody is not entitled to a medical card does not mean they will have no difficulty paying medical bills. All too often they have even more demands on their resources, which may not be that much more than those entitled to medical cards.

Thus the cost of consultations for people without medical cards may present a serious obstacle to many in accessing timely care, or even seeking any medical attention at all. This state of affairs should not be acceptable in a modern society.

Does the State have any vision of what it should be doing for young people? Some of the people who gave up their VHI cover because they thought they no longer needed it after reaching 70, found this week their faith in their government has been grossly betrayed.

What we have witnessed is a lack of vision in providing for young people, compounded by a dearth of moral integrity in dealing with elderly people.