Morning Ireland today ran an edited version of the heartrending interview Joe Duffy did in January with ‘Rosie’ – the cancer sufferer who blamed the fact that her cancer had become incurable on her long wait for treatment in the public health system. ‘Rosie’ (Susie Long) died on Friday.
It was desperately sad to hear it again knowing that Susie lived for just another nine months after that interview. It also made me incoherent with anger, as I’m sure it did anyone else who was listening.
The chaos in the health system could be blamed on many things – the government, the HSE, the consultants, etc. I remember, however, being berated by a friend of mine for paying for health insurance because that implied ideological support for the two-tier system. I thought that by paying health insurance, I would, in some small way, alleviate some of the pressure on the public system.
Am I right? Am I wrong? Should I bother worrying about it and worry instead why the health service is in a complete fucking shambles and people are dying when they could conceivably be treated successfully?
5 Comments
October 15, 2007 at 2:33 pm
The healthcare system may have it’s flaws, but not a reason to go without health insurance. – It’s a safety net.
October 15, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for the comment, but it’s just worth pointing out that the Irish system is different from the American one (where I take it you are, from your site). Oh dear…don’t have time to get around to it now, but will try and find some links later that might explain it.
October 15, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Hi Kathy
I too am seething with rage about what happened to Susie Long. I didn’t know Susie but she has evoked in me a determination to continue to speak out about the inequity of the 2-tier health service in Ireland.
I feel very sad for Susie’s family today.
Regards,
Steph
http://biopsy.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/susie-long-rip/
November 21, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Hei Kathy
Sad, so very sad indeed.
But as you well know, not only is it the health care in the 2-tier upstairs, downstairs like way, but so is nigh everything else. Unfortunately. And the gaps are only widening with each passing year.
Take care.
June 7, 2008 at 6:48 pm
The Irish Health system is in desperate need of proper funding and management. People also need to be aware of their rights as patients. We can all make a little difference by going to the following website and signing the petition:
http://www.activecitizenship.net/content/view/56/78/
It’s at least a start!