Republican News · Thursday 30 November 2001

Sinn Féin's response to FF health strategy

MacManus appalled at lack of leadership

Sinn Féin's Seán MacManus condemned the Fianna Fáil-led government for failing the central test of the current healthcare crisis. MacManus said, "I am appalled by the government's lack of leadership on this issue. They have squandered the best chance this state has ever had to redress the structural problems of our health system".

"The plan does not fundamentally re-orient the system. It does not guarantee universal access to care based on need alone. The plan does not give us free primary care. It does not give us a single, prioritised waiting list ensuring that patients most in need get care first.

"Instead, this Health Strategy copperfastens the two-tier public-private system that has failed us to date. Even after this Health Strategy is fully implemented in ten years, we can still expect to have a situation where one's income will determine access, quality, and speed of care. We will still have a situation where many working people do not qualify for a General Medical Card, but also cannot afford private insurance. Therefore, we will still have a situation where many people cannot afford to go to the doctor, and cannot afford to take their children to the doctor. This is not leadership in health.

"The Irish people want radical change in the healthcare system. Sinn Féin is ready to deliver this radical change. But this government insists on clinging to an unequal system that does not work. What they have done with this Health Strategy is tantamount to calling for a protest vote on health. Fianna Fáil may not be committed to full equality in healthcare, but Sinn Féin is. Fianna Fáil may not consider health care to be a human right, but Sinn Féin does.