Health care too close to Boston
Friday November 07 2008
She warns that "in Britain most people cannot afford community rating" and "only 11pc can afford health insurance" (Irish Independent, November 4), but she does not add the corollary to this that private health insurance is unnecessary in the UK. Unnecessary because the National Health Service provides free health care from the cradle to the grave for all citizens, paid for from National Insurance contributions (equivalent to PRSI) and taxation.
Interestingly, this is similar to the benefits enjoyed by the over-70s in Ireland.
Furthermore, Ms Harney, who is fond of saying that we are closer to Boston than Berlin, should take note of Barack Obama's victory speech where he deplored the state of health care in the US which sees millions unable to afford any health care and many millions in debt or bankrupt due to medical treatment costs.
PETER FIELDING
FOXFORD, CO MAYO
