Excellent analysis of some of the tradeoffs involved. I just wonder about the biggest trade-off of all: that is, that the policymakers effectively ended normal social life for 18 months by imposing unprecedented interventions into private life, in pursuit of a sole aim ("preservation of public health"), while disregarding all other human values. Unfortunately, I don't think that this most important question can be addressed by the utilitarian, technocratic mindset which informed the pandemic response, and, seemingly, this analysis.
Thanks for the series, really great. One small thing...
"70% of people have private health insurance, and the rest (including retirees and low-income people) have ‘medical cards’ qualifying them for free public healthcare." That isn't right? Lots of people don't have private health insurance and don't have a medical card. They simple use the public health system? Medical cards are a special scheme which provides free GP & dentist visits, etc.
Thanks! I was taking that from the Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland): "The Medical Card – which entitles holders to free hospital care, GP visits, dental services, optical services, aural services, prescription drugs and medical appliances – is available to those receiving welfare payments, low earners, many retirees, and in certain other cases... they currently cover 31.9% of the population. Those on slightly higher incomes are eligible for a 'GP Visit Card' which entitles the holder to free general practitioner visits. Persons over 70 years who are not entitled to a medical GP visit card can instead receive an annual cash grant of €400 up to a certain income.
People who are not entitled to a Medical Card (i.e. 68.1% of the population) must pay fees for certain health care services. There is a €100 A&E charge for those who attend an accident and emergency department without a referral letter from a family doctor"
So is the correct way to summarise this: "30% of people get healthcare for free through medical cards. The remainder must pay something, but not all of them have private health insurance, because they can still use the public system with certain fees attached, and because there are a number of other government subsidies"? Is that right?
Excellent analysis of some of the tradeoffs involved. I just wonder about the biggest trade-off of all: that is, that the policymakers effectively ended normal social life for 18 months by imposing unprecedented interventions into private life, in pursuit of a sole aim ("preservation of public health"), while disregarding all other human values. Unfortunately, I don't think that this most important question can be addressed by the utilitarian, technocratic mindset which informed the pandemic response, and, seemingly, this analysis.
Some of this is upcoming in part 4!
Thanks for the series, really great. One small thing...
"70% of people have private health insurance, and the rest (including retirees and low-income people) have ‘medical cards’ qualifying them for free public healthcare." That isn't right? Lots of people don't have private health insurance and don't have a medical card. They simple use the public health system? Medical cards are a special scheme which provides free GP & dentist visits, etc.
Also 70% seems really high. HIA claimed it was 46% in May 2021 — https://www.hia.ie/sites/default/files/Press%20Release_May%202021.pdf
Thanks again, looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks! I was taking that from the Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland): "The Medical Card – which entitles holders to free hospital care, GP visits, dental services, optical services, aural services, prescription drugs and medical appliances – is available to those receiving welfare payments, low earners, many retirees, and in certain other cases... they currently cover 31.9% of the population. Those on slightly higher incomes are eligible for a 'GP Visit Card' which entitles the holder to free general practitioner visits. Persons over 70 years who are not entitled to a medical GP visit card can instead receive an annual cash grant of €400 up to a certain income.
People who are not entitled to a Medical Card (i.e. 68.1% of the population) must pay fees for certain health care services. There is a €100 A&E charge for those who attend an accident and emergency department without a referral letter from a family doctor"
So is the correct way to summarise this: "30% of people get healthcare for free through medical cards. The remainder must pay something, but not all of them have private health insurance, because they can still use the public system with certain fees attached, and because there are a number of other government subsidies"? Is that right?
Yes, that sounds right to me.
It seems like about 23% of people are on the "free-ish" public health care and don't have medical cards or private health insurance.