Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to this Private Members’ motion on the cost of health insurance and the hardship caused to many families because of the significant costs and recent increases.

The health and funding crisis touches on the broader issue of the urgent need for reform of our health services. Tonight in this debate we are dealing with the cracks and the immediate cost issue but this is not the solution if we really want a fair, efficient and high-quality health service. My own clear position is that we need a proper universal health service, with those in most need always getting priority. There should be universal health insurance across the board, paid by us all as part of our general taxation. That is my clear political and philosophical position and I believe there is support in this House for it. That is why I supported the Government's Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill earlier today.

There has been too much messing around and too much in-fighting between the HSE, the Department of Health and politicians for many years. I know it is not trendy or politically correct to say this but the Minister and his senior officials should visit Cuba and look at that country's health service and how well it works, despite being hammered by a US blockade. The Cuban people put equity, equality and justice at the top of their health philosophy and ensure quality service delivery to all Cubans, particularly the poor. I met a medical student in a bar in Havana who, as part of his training, was going out to live in villages and mountains, helping and caring for people, for his summer holidays. He told me that it was his patriotic duty to work and serve in his country's health service and that he would defend it to the end. That is the kind of spirit we need in our health service and the kind of spirit that we need to reform it.

I know there are some plans to reform our health services but hammering our nurses, doctors and those in the 24-7 Alliance is not the way forward. It is a crime and a disgrace to penalise those on the frontline because of the recklessness of senior bankers in the past. This needs to be said in the debate tonight because it is linked to the cost issue and the high price of health insurance. Approximately 6,000 people are leaving the health insurance market every month, many of whom are young people. This will threaten the sustainability of the entire insurance market. Health sector inflation is now out of control and many people are now downgrading their cover. I call on the Minister to speedily reduce the cost of the delivery of both public and private health care, as promised in the programme for Government.

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