Fine Gael's Big Idea ?

[Andrew49]

Mr Kenny told delegates in Citywest last night the party in government would introduce universal health insurance based on the Dutch model. “The Netherlands spends only slightly more than us on health on a per capita basis, but has no waiting lists and is ranked number one in Europe for health. Under Fine Gael’s proposals, plans are to introduce universal health insurance, either subsidised or fully paid for by the State, on the lines of the Canadian and Dutch systems.

RTE
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In 2003, the Netherlands spent 9.8 percent of its gross domestic product on health care, below the spending levels in Germany, France, and Canada and more than one-third less than the United States. Even under the constraints of this budget, the Netherlands has implemented a number of health sector reforms that have led to important quality improvements.

Report

[White Horse]

This is they type of vision we need in this country.

It is hearthening that at a difficult time such as this, Kenny and FG are ambitious in the plans for Irish society.

[atlantic]

The stats were done 6 years ago how do they hold up now.Also what percentage per head goes on staff wages? been a bit picky maybe?

[midlander12]

Universal health insurance is the elephant in the garden of the Irish health debate. It's obviously not a new idea, but fair play to Kenny and FG for highlighting it. It is hardly ever mentioned by the mostly left-wing commentators who want a health service to European standards yet never fully explain how it is going to be funded.

At the moment we have probably the worst of both worlds, a reasonable private health for those who can pay through the nose and a c**p system for those who pay little or nothing. Obviously those who want to continue paying private insurance should be able to do so, it would take some time for a universal system to prove itself. And it won't be cheap, probably €2-300 per year for a single person.

[Middleaged]

€200-€300 a year is very cheap.

Try €600-€800 per year for a single person, at the very least.

[White Horse]

The stats were done 6 years ago how do they hold up now.Also what percentage per head goes on staff wages? been a bit picky maybe?

It isn't being picky to query the costings.

There has been too much gullibity by the electorate over the years.

However, there is no progress without ideas and vision.

[midlander12]

€200-€300 a year is very cheap.

Try €600-€800 per year for a single person, at the very least.

Well Quinn Health is at present €642 for a single person. It has to be considerably less than that if everyone is paying, otherwise it's just not gonna happen.

[atlantic]

I agree totally ,the problem I see is that in 2003- to mid 2007 things in most countries were bubbling along with loadsa money,the problem is this downturn which is effecting the revenue take of most deficit spending countries,can they keep up the standards when revenue is falling, something has to give.

It isn't being picky to query the costings.

There has been too much gullibity by the electorate over the years.

However, there is no progress without ideas and vision.

[Keith-M]

Fair play to FG for at least coming up with an idea, but I don't like this one bit and I believe we should leave well enough alone.

[juanpablo]

Fair play to FG for at least coming up with an idea, but I don't like this one bit and I believe we should leave well enough alone.

Why exactly? you happy with the present unfair two tier system currently in situ?