Do you think all Irish children should have free health care?

oppenheimer1 · 11-10-2012 01:34AM

Free healthcare for children, first mooted in the 50's and still hasn't arrived. In any case its too expensive now for it to become a reality unfortunately.

What the government should do is try and encourage more competition in the GP sector. They could do this by having a centralised patient record making it easy for patients to change GP or use a different one. They could also create a website for an agency that forces registered doctors to display their rates so that it is easy to do a price comparison, much like the HIA.

Healthcare is a protected industry in Ireland, but it needs to become a commodity.

vepyewwo · 11-10-2012 03:03AM

ladypip wrote: »

There was a time that if Id needed to bring my son to the accident and emergency dept I couldn't have afforded it. There are people who aren't entitled to medical cards who would be under sever pressure if they needed to bring their children to the doc/ a&e.

Come on now - it costs €100 for an A+E visit. You are not charged extra for any xrays/bloods or other tests they do in A+E or for any future out patient appointments related to that A+E visit. You do not have to pay this €100 euro up front, you will be treated without even being asked how you are going to pay. It usually takes 3-4 weeks for them to send out the bill and you usually have about a further 6-8 weeks after this to pay before they start sending out letters hassling you about it.

That gives you a good 10 -12 weeks after your A+E visit to get €100 together. Surely most families can manage to save €8-10 per week no matter how tough things are, and if they can't then surely they must be eligible for a medical card. If your kid is sick enough that you feel you need to bring them to A+E then I don't think €100 is that unreasonable. (I realise that if your child, for whatever reason, needed to frequently go to see a GP that the costs for that could add up but I'm responding only to the comment about affording A+E).

I certainly don't think there should be free health care for all children. It would be abused with GPs and hospitals overrun with people taking advantage of it and the country just simply cannot afford it.

Capt'n Midnight · 11-10-2012 03:13AM

mdebets wrote: »

No, they shouldn't. It's the exclusive right of all parents to provide healthcare for their child and that right shouldn't be taken away by the state.

WTF ?

even if the parent is denying them lifesaving treatment ?

children have rights too

Capt'n Midnight · 11-10-2012 03:14AM

vepyewwo wrote: »

I certainly don't think there should be free health care for all children. It would be abused with GPs and hospitals overrun with people taking advantage of it and the country just simply cannot afford it.

Remind me again how it works in Norn Iron ?

vepyewwo · 11-10-2012 03:23AM

vepyewwo wrote: »

I certainly don't think there should be free health care for all children. It would be abused with GPs and hospitals overrun with people taking advantage of it and the country just simply cannot afford it.

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Remind me again how it works in Norn Iron ?

It runs under the NHS system which is abused with GPs and hospitals overrun with people taking advantage of it. Not to mention health tourists.

jimmycrackcorm · 11-10-2012 03:23AM

Chucky the tree wrote: »

And have every parent straight up the doctor when ever their kid sneezes? No thanks.

Easily solved by giving out free hankies with the free doctor care.

gctest50 · 11-10-2012 04:03AM

Just one of many reasons children need timely access to a bit of decent healthcare:

http://www.squidoo.com/jdrf/Juvenile_Diabetes

The Scientician · 11-10-2012 05:56AM

Why "children" though? We're all children. All Irish people should have free health care (at point of need). There's no such thing as free, we all have to pay one way or another but we shouldn't have a situation where people put off visiting the doctor for illnesses because the feel they can't afford it. In other words let's rejoin the UK and avail of the NHS.

trodsky · 11-10-2012 05:59AM

brokenarms wrote: »

Just up to the night doctor with a sick child.

Turned out to be nothing serious but we did not want to take the chance. And rightly so.

Got a bill of 65 euro.

So if parent had no money and had a badly sick child , would the doctor still see the kid? Or just let the child get sicker or worse.

Seems outrages to me that we cant provide free healthcare to our most precious of citizens . Yet we can keep every tom, dick and harry in a free house and dutch gold tokens.

Have we got our proprieties all wrong?

Can you please explain what you mean by a "free house"

The countries broke and your asking for free healthcare? Think about it...

Galwayguy35 · 11-10-2012 06:13AM

brokenarms wrote: »

Just up to the night doctor with a sick child.

Turned out to be nothing serious but we did not want to take the chance. And rightly so.

Got a bill of 65 euro.

So if parent had no money and had a badly sick child , would the doctor still see the kid? Or just let the child get sicker or worse.

Seems outrages to me that we cant provide free healthcare to our most precious of citizens . Yet we can keep every tom, dick and harry in a free house and dutch gold tokens.

Have we got our proprieties all wrong?

Have to disagree there, I don't think a kids life is worth more than an adults, every life has the same value.

Fair enough lets try to help poor people with their healthcare but I notice you use the word all children, let the rich pay for their kids it's only fair.

trodsky · 11-10-2012 06:42AM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

brokenarms wrote: »

Just up to the night doctor with a sick child.

Turned out to be nothing serious but we did not want to take the chance. And rightly so.

Got a bill of 65 euro.

So if parent had no money and had a badly sick child , would the doctor still see the kid? Or just let the child get sicker or worse.

Seems outrages to me that we cant provide free healthcare to our most precious of citizens . Yet we can keep every tom, dick and harry in a free house and dutch gold tokens.

Have we got our proprieties all wrong?

Have to disagree there, I don't think a kids life is worth more than an adults, every life has the same value.

Fair enough lets try to help poor people with their healthcare but I notice you use the word all children, let the rich pay for their kids it's only fair.

So the people with jobs who work hard get to pay for a doctor while the ones who sit on there arse all day at home get it for free?

Is this your proposal?

jfallon · 11-10-2012 07:20AM

brokenarms wrote: »

Just up to the night doctor with a sick child.

Turned out to be nothing serious but we did not want to take the chance. And rightly so.

Got a bill of 65 euro.

So if parent had no money and had a badly sick child , would the doctor still see the kid? Or just let the child get sicker or worse.

Seems outrages to me that we cant provide free healthcare to our most precious of citizens . Yet we can keep every tom, dick and harry in a free house and dutch gold tokens.

Have we got our proprieties all wrong?

My view is either it should be free for everybody or nobody!

mdebets · 11-10-2012 08:12AM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

WTF ?

even if the parent is denying them lifesaving treatment ?

children have rights too

You don't know too much about the history of your country, do you?

rubberdiddies · 11-10-2012 08:19AM

Youssef Chippo wrote: »

No! I don't have kids so why the f[COLOR="Black"]uc[/COLOR]k should I pay for someone elses?

I don't have junkies/scobies so why should I pay for them and their methadone and prison stays?

munchkin_utd · 11-10-2012 08:31AM

jfallon wrote: »

My view is either it should be free for everybody or nobody!

+1

its insane that the government picks up the massive bill for anyone chronicly ill YET wont spend the relatively small sums to have Universal GP care to try and STOP them getting ill and costing them money.
Sick people cost money.
Healthy (or less chronically sick) dont!

It reminds me of Russia where abortions are free but people cant afford condoms.
So women end up rolling in to the public hospital every few months for an abortion which costs the state a packet, and far far more than if thy just gave out condoms in the first place.

Universal GP care in Ireland is what free condoms would be in Russia.
A cheap way to stop folks turning up at hospital needing "free" (EXPENSIVE to the taxpayer) treatment!

andrew241983 · 11-10-2012 08:53AM

Of course they should anyone that says otherwise doesn't have kids but might one day and then their tune will change!!
(and yes i can pay for my kid)

NegativeCreep · 11-10-2012 10:15AM

dvpower wrote: »

NegativeCreep wrote: »

Your kids are precious to you. Mot anyone else. No they shouldn't get free healthcare.

And free education? Should that be abolished too?

Nope.

Galwayguy35 · 11-10-2012 06:04PM

trodsky wrote: »

So the people with jobs who work hard get to pay for a doctor while the ones who sit on there arse all day at home get it for free?

Is this your proposal?

I was aiming at the low paid workers which is why I said let the rich pay, did you miss that bit in my original post?

Your view of those on social welfare leaves a bit to be desired TBH, sure there are scammers and I despise people like that but let's not include everyone in that.

trodsky · 11-10-2012 06:21PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

trodsky wrote: »

So the people with jobs who work hard get to pay for a doctor while the ones who sit on there arse all day at home get it for free?

Is this your proposal?

I was aiming at the low paid workers which is why I said let the rich pay, did you miss that bit in my original post?

Your view of those on social welfare leaves a bit to be desired TBH, sure there are scammers and I despise people like that but let's not include everyone in that.

I'm sorry you don't like my views but it seems like its the working mans pocket who gets hit all the time. Picking up the tab for the lazy fecks that refuse to work.

Sure work is hard to come by sometimes but I believe there's work out there for those that want it.

sky2424 · 11-10-2012 06:48PM

No- the country is broke.

Kids are expensive, anyone who has kids and expects otherwise is deluded!

gsxr1 · 11-10-2012 07:23PM

brokenarms wrote: »

Just up to the night doctor with a sick child.

Turned out to be nothing serious but we did not want to take the chance. And rightly so.

Got a bill of 65 euro.

So if parent had no money and had a badly sick child , would the doctor still see the kid? Or just let the child get sicker or worse.

Seems outrages to me that we cant provide free healthcare to our most precious of citizens . Yet we can keep every tom, dick and harry in a free house and dutch gold tokens.

Have we got our proprieties all wrong?

Agree with you on everything and would like it spread to everyone.

How many children have died when their flu like symptoms where not treated and turned out to be meningitis . Parents weighing the cost of Tesco against the price of the doctor.

If only we had a government who gave a rats ass about the people.

benchppress · 11-10-2012 07:38PM

[QUOTE=gsxr1;81200374
How many children have died when their flu like symptoms where not treated and turned out to be meningitis[/QUOTE]

not many, most ppl you describe bring their children to a&e and just don't pay

kupus · 11-10-2012 09:04PM

I've talked before about the health care system in Ireland and imo its the biggest joke of a system in the so called developed world that Ireland supposedly belongs to, doctors who deem themselves infallible and nurses who blab on the phone more than Ive seen workers do in a call center. Run by a government who are actually lobbying the fecking union scam artists pandering for their votes.

Back on topic.......Free health care one way to get it.......Begin a sliding scale for the doletakers, there is too many people on the dole who just because they have a degree think that working in McDonalds is beneath them.......
so maybe after 10 months jobless and dole being slashed in monthly decreases to 100 euro maybe then they'll think again about that job in Mcdonalds.

And heres the thing, having a job even a meaningless one gives you value rather than being stuck in a never ending dole cycle of depression.

Now the money saved from these decreases can be forwarded onto free healthcare for kids till 18. + a bonus of taking somebody off the dole and getting them into tax system.

I also like that idea from the poster above who recommends 2 checkups per year...
prevention is better than cure---It is better to try to keep a bad thing from happening than it is to fix the bad thing once it has happened

NegativeCreep · 11-10-2012 09:17PM

kupus wrote: »

I've talked before about the health care system in Ireland and imo its the biggest joke of a system in the so called developed world that Ireland supposedly belongs to, doctors who deem themselves infallible and nurses who blab on the phone more than Ive seen workers do in a call center. Run by a government who are actually lobbying the fecking union scam artists pandering for their votes.

Back on topic.......Free health care one way to get it.......Begin a sliding scale for the doletakers, there is too many people on the dole who just because they have a degree think that working in McDonalds is beneath them.......
so maybe after 10 months jobless and dole being slashed in monthly decreases to 100 euro maybe then they'll think again about that job in Mcdonalds.

And heres the thing, having a job even a meaningless one gives you value rather than being stuck in a never ending dole cycle of depression.

Now the money saved from these decreases can be forwarded onto free healthcare for kids till 18. + a bonus of taking somebody off the dole and getting them into tax system.

I also like that idea from the poster above who recommends 2 checkups per year...
prevention is better than cure---It is better to try to keep a bad thing from happening than it is to fix the bad thing once it has happened

I don't think McDonalds have 450,000 jobs waiting to go to people who are on the dole...
What about the people who don't get a job after the dole is slashed just to pay for every kids unnecessary doctor visits?
If you have kids, it's your job to ensure their health is looked after. Not the government and definitely not the taxpayer.

NIMAN · 11-10-2012 09:20PM

I have seen what free GP service can do in NI, with jam packed surgeries and not able to get an appt for a fortnight.

I compare it to RoI, and I can usually get an appt same day or at worst, next day if I need one. I do think that paying €40 each time is a bit much though. Don't mind paying it for myself or OH, but I do think maybe children under school age could get it free?

burgermasters · 11-10-2012 09:24PM

Youssef Chippo wrote: »

No! I don't have kids so why the fuck should I pay for someone elses?

Because you may have kids someday?????? or the fact that they are just kids and need us to do what ever it takes to keep them safe and healthy?? even if ye dont have kids your responsible for the safety of any child around you (moraly) that is, but then again it is your poxy attitude that helps low life child predators think they are in for a chance to get away with it, i really hope you dont have kids ever because from that statement you made alone i think you may be a cold ba****d.:mad:

NegativeCreep · 11-10-2012 09:27PM

burgermasters wrote: »

Because you may have kids someday?????? or the fact that they are just kids and need us to do what ever it takes to keep them safe and healthy?? even if ye dont have kids your responsible for the safety of any child around you (moraly) that is, but then again it is your poxy attitude that helps low life child predators think they are in for a chance to get away with it, i really hope you dont have kids ever because from that statement you made alone i think you may be a cold ba****d.:mad:

It's not anyone elses business to look after anyone elses children! Where the hell do people get this opinion from?

poeticseraphim · 11-10-2012 09:28PM

I believe in equal acess health care by taxation.

burgermasters · 11-10-2012 09:41PM

people have kids,, time goes on times change lose there jobs and so on,, ye cant tell what will happen in the future so why take it out on kids? i have 3 kids and heaven its self would not stop me getting them well money or not and if a doctor refused to see one of my kids then he himself would need a doctor,, wake up people for **** sake these are OUR children cant understand the mentality of the things im reading here? bitch and moaning i work these hours and so why should i pay?? because our kids may be the doctor or solicitor or what ever you may need??? cop the **** on.

whelan1 · 11-10-2012 09:41PM

I have 3 kids 1 had major health problems. From going to my gp and hospital numerous times I have noticed a few things. There should be a triage system at the gp,same as at the hospital. As my daughter suffered from febrile convulsions her visits to the doctor wwhere always nessecary. I could not afford some of these visits and the gp didnt charge me. It does bug me that I am self employed struggling to make ends meet and one visit to the doctors including pharmacy can work out over 100 euro. I think if a triage system was in place at gp's it could sort out the patients that are most in need of care

Do you think all Irish children should have free health care?

Comments