Fine Gael Promises Free Healthcare For All

Preparing for the next elections in Ireland, Fine Gael this week announced that they would, if elected, introduce a new 'FairCare' public health scheme aimed at slashing waiting lists and cutting costs.

The plan includes a "money-follows-the-patient" budgeting system so that hospitals are paid for how many patients they treat. Patients longer being seen as "costs" to the health service, but as sources of "income".

They also promised to deliver Universal Health Insurance where every man, woman and child will be insured, some fully subsidised, some partially subsidised by the Government.

Speaking at the launch of his Party's health proposals on Monday, Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny T.D. said: "For the last ten years the Government's answer to any problem in the health service was to throw taxpayers' money at it. Billions were wasted and the health service was never reformed in any fundamental way. As a result, Ireland's health system is now ranked 24th in Europe in terms of value for money.

"Even today, as we face the worst economic crisis in this State's history, the Government is slashing health budgets without introducing any meaningful reform.

"In mid 2008 I established a Health Commission chaired by our former leader Alan Dukes, to develop a radical and patient focused solution that will give us the Health Service that we deserve within a five year time frame.

"Our approach is built around the patient, rewarding performance from doctors and hospitals, and ensuring that there will no longer be a two tier health system.

"Fine Gael has looked in particular detail at the Dutch health system as a model for Ireland's health service.

"The Netherlands spends only slightly more than us on health on a per capita basis, but has minimal waiting lists and is ranked number one in Europe for health.

"Under Fine Gael's proposals, we will move towards the Dutch system, where everyone has mandatory health insurance, either subsidised or fully financed by the State.

"In its first 30 days in Government, Fine Gael will work with all the major stakeholders in the health service to agree an implementation plan so that the proven Dutch system of UHI is best adapted to Irish circumstances.

"Our health reform programme represents the most revolutionary change in the Irish health system since its establishment.

"There will be some who will say that we cannot afford major reforms at a time of recession. To them I say: as budgets come under more pressure we can't afford not to reform our €16 billion a year health system," he concluded.