From universal health insurance to universal healthcare? The shifting health policy landscape in Ireland since the economic crisis

Health Policy
Sara BurkeSteve Thomas

Abstract

Ireland experienced one of the most severe economic crises of any OECD country. In 2011, a new government came to power amidst unprecedented health budget cuts. Despite a retrenchment in the ability of health resources to meet growing need, the government promised a universal, single-tiered health system, with access based solely on medical need. Key to this was introducing universal free GP care by 2015 and Universal Health Insurance from 2016 onwards. Delays in delivering universal access and a new health minister in 2014 resulted in a shift in language from 'universal health insurance' to 'universal healthcare'. During 2014 and 2015, there was an absence of clarity on what government meant by universal healthcare and divergence in policy measures from their initial intent of universalism. Despite the rhetoric of universal healthcare, years of austerity resulted in poorer access to essential healthcare and little extension of population coverage. The Irish health system is at a critical juncture in 2015, veering between a potential path to universal healthcare and a system, overwhelmed by years of austerity, which maintains the status quo. This papers assesses the gap between policy intent and practice and the difficulties in...Continue Reading

References

Jul 26, 2012·The Australian Journal of Rural Health·David Perkins
May 6, 2014·Lancet·Steve ThomasSarah Barry
Jun 23, 2015·Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy· U S Department Of Health And Human Services

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Citations

Jan 25, 2018·Health Economics, Policy, and Law·Richard B Saltman
Oct 21, 2016·Irish Journal of Medical Science·B Turner
Sep 9, 2017·European Journal of Haematology·Charlene M McShaneLesley A Anderson
Aug 23, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Sarah GibneyGillian Rowlands
Dec 29, 2020·Health Policy·Ana Belén Espinosa-GonzálezAra Darzi
Apr 25, 2021·Health Policy·Manfred LauShaen Corbet

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