Healthcare costs - Failures that make reform an imperative

THE VHI’s 1.5 million customers face an increase in charges of 8% next month.

For some the increase will force them to forego the security blanket offered by private health insurance. Those who can afford it will pay up but with increasing resentment because, no matter what Health Minister Mary Harney contends, no matter what we spend on the HSE, we still have a two-tier if not three-tier health system. Very few of us have the courage to throw ourselves at the mercy of the public health scheme if we can provide an alternative.

The memory of Susie Long’s death – October 12, 2007 – is too fresh and none of us is prepared to countenance having to wait for urgent assessment or treatment if we were in a similar position.