Give us legal right to healthcare

I WRITE in relation to the intervention by the EU Commission’s Director of Economic Affairs last week in relation to the high costs of medical care in Ireland (Troika reviewer hits out at Irish legal and GP fees, October 21).

The Government must address high GP costs, not to increase economic competitiveness, but to ensure that such costs are not a barrier to care. Yet many people in Ireland often have to choose between paying their bills and visiting their GP. One in five people in Ireland have experienced delays or are denied access to healthcare because of cost. More than 50% of adults without medical cards have deliberately not visited their doctor because they cannot afford to pay the fees required.

Everyone in Ireland has the right to health. The Government has made landmark, welcome commitments around reforming our healthcare system to create one where care is based on medical need, not ability to pay. Amnesty International is campaigning for this guarantee of equal access to be enshrined in law. If we are going to make these changes to our healthcare system, we must ensure they are made to last. In just four months, nearly 16,000 people have signed a petition of support for such a legal guarantee, and asked the Government to fulfil our right to health.

However, silence has descended upon the government’s reform plans. These comments from a member of the troika are a welcome reminder that while our national conversation is still largely focused on the economy, bank bailouts, and economic reform, this cannot be at the cost of stagnation in other crucial reforms. Yes, the Government must address the cost of healthcare services. But it must do so as part of the healthcare reforms that people in Ireland are calling for, which have human rights at its core. Amnesty International Cork will take to the streets of Cork city tomorrow afternoon.

Our team will be collecting signatures on Patrick Street to petition our right to a reformed and more equal healthcare system.

Eamonn Sheehy

Group Coordinator

Amnesty International

Cork