THERE WAS renewed Opposition criticism of the Government's hospital co-location proposals during the resumed debate on the Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill.
Labour's health spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan said under co-location, a public patient would be sent into one hospital while a private patient would be sent to a new, purpose-built private hospital. The private hospital would have significant tax breaks for the developers involved.
"The Labour party is fundamentally opposed to this health apartheid which separates patients on whether they are private or public," she added.
"We do not want this legislation to facilitate this development or the VHI becoming involved in running private health facilities on the premises of public hospitals." Charlie Flanagan (FG, Laois-Offaly) referred to the "folly" in proceeding with co-location.
"It will do no more than compound the already unequal and unfair health system our public is asked to enjoy," he said.
Mr Flanagan said they were told it was Government policy, but some days it was appropriate and suitable for Fianna Fáil Cabinet members, while other days they had difficulties with it.
"It is extraordinary that Fianna Fáil is buying the ideological drive of the Progressive Democrats, which is fundamentally unfair to the people," he added.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said it was worrying that the Bill was open to the interpretation that the VHI could seek to sponsor private for profit facilities on public hospital sites.
Minister of State for Health Brendan Smith said the Bill had no provisions directing the VHI towards becoming involved in co-located hospitals.
