Varadkar predicts next government will not complete new healthcare model

Significantly changing the healthcare funding model will not be completed in the next government's lifetime, if Fine Gael is returned to power, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has said.

He said adequate capacity in the service, the strengthening of primary and social care provision, as well as structural and financial reforms, would have to be first introduced.

“Otherwise no funding model will work,” he added. “It will take more than five years to do these things, which means that I do not anticipate the next government, if my party leads it, being able to change the funding model for healthcare substantially.”

Mr Varadkar said it was also important that certain issues were faced up to. "Any system of universal healthcare, no matter where it is in place, whether it be the NHS in Britain, the Dutch system or the Canadian system, involves some rationing," he added.

“Universal healthcare systems involve waiting lists in some form, telling people they have to wait because there is somebody with higher priority ahead of them or that they cannot receive some drug or treatment because it is not considered to be cost-effective.’’

Mr Varadkar said that was why there was, to some extent, a two-tier system in every democratic country in the world. “We allow people to spend their own money on healthcare if they want to,’’ he added.

He said even in Britain, where access to healthcare was very good, 10 per cent or 15 per cent of the population had private health insurance policies so they could skip queues, choose a consultant or access treatments not considered to be cost-effective for the general population.

“We need to be honest about this in the debate,” he added.

The Minister was replying in the Seanad to Renua Ireland Senator Paul Bradford who said everybody wished a magic wand could somehow be waved by a minister and government to provide a perfect health system.

“Unfortunately, that is easier said than done,” he added. “As long as I have been a member of this House, and the other House, the provision, payment or subsidising of healthcare has always been on the agenda.”

He said that perhaps the new starting point should be to improve the current system, its funding, structures and delivery of service.

Mr Varadkar said that compulsory health insurance schemes could work and did in other countries, for example in the Netherlands. “However, they are expensive,” he added. “I am not sure having a system of compulsory health insurance would be right for Ireland.”

The Minister asked what would be done if people refused to pay. “Would we fine them or tax them, as happens in America if they do not take out insurance under Obamacare?”he asked. “Would we jail them ?”

He also asked if those refusing to pay would be refused treatment. “I do not think we would do that in Ireland which is different from other countries,” he said.