Ireland shows why American health care reform is over-priced and over-due

Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10:32 AM

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Let's face it. When Ireland can do something better than America, you know you're in trouble.

Private health care in Ireland costs, on average, about $60 a month for a single person.

Private health care in America costs, on average, about $500 a month for a single person.

That's if you can find an individual plan to take you.

For employers, it's even more expensive. About $600 for a single worker going up to roughly $1,300 for a family. A month.

How can anyone; Republican or Democrat really believe - in a recession no less - that businesses should be liable for health care costs?

How are we ever going to get out of this recession if small businesses are hobbled by health care costs?

It's ironic beyond words that American companies based in Ireland can be more competitive because they don't have to pay the prohibitive U.S. health insurance costs for their Irish workers.

Want to find out more about Irish health care plans?

Visit the Irish Health Authority Website at http://www.hia.ie/ci/search_app

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mayoman | Aug 06, 2010, 09:42 AM EDT

Its a shame that Kelly doesn't discuss the reasons why she thinks there is such a large disparity between what Americans and the Irish are required to pay for private health care. Simply quoting a handful of figures doesn't give us a clear enough idea of why there is such a wide discrepancy in cost between our two nations.

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Sectionhand | Feb 15, 2010, 11:20 AM EST

Noreen ... And that's over and above what the government offers . And what do your 600 Euros buy you ? Again , I refer you you to another article on this very site which warns immigrants that supplemental insurance is essential for anything more than basic procedures .

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Noreen09 | Feb 12, 2010, 11:51 AM EST

Sectionhand, Kelly is talking about buying supplemental health insurance. I get a year's insurance for about 600 euro, and that's for a plan that's more than just the basics.

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kickstar | Feb 03, 2010, 12:23 PM EST

After all the trouble that President Obama has gone to if Americans can't back his plans then Americans do not deserve a decent Health Service and that is a fact.

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Sectionhand | Feb 01, 2010, 11:52 AM EST

davidoconnell ... Health Care IS " Social Services " , Squireen ! I went about it over ten years ago .

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davidoconnell | Jan 30, 2010, 06:01 PM EST

@Sectionhand FYI - The issue with people returning to Ireland and seeking social services is NOT specific to health care but rather a decision that 4 years is a cut off point to have to reestablish residency.

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davidoconnell | Jan 30, 2010, 06:00 PM EST

@freethinker666 Check out % of people who use VHI, AVIVA & Bupa. @kelly Very poor article. Businesses in Ireland are responsible for health care via a health care tax (PRSI & a dedicated health care levy.) FYI - Ineffective management is the problem in the Irish system where as greed and lack of cost controls is the issue in America. I'd still rather Sloan Kettering to Sligo General.

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JOSIESAR | Jan 30, 2010, 04:24 PM EST

BOO HOO I'LL KEEP MY HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA AT LEAST I CAN SEE MY DR THE DAY I CALL

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Sectionhand | Jan 29, 2010, 06:34 PM EST

Freethinker666 you don't have to take my word for it . Just check another article on this site regarding immigration to Ireland and the problems with obtaining social services . Those are some facts you can back your ass into !

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Sectionhand | Jan 29, 2010, 03:58 PM EST

Sectionhand, who are these people who are buying supplemental health insurance. It is easy to pull facts out of your ass, BACK THEM UP.

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Sectionhand | Jan 29, 2010, 02:04 PM EST

Kelly ... If what you're saying is true ( which it isn't ) then why are so many people in Ireland buying supplemental Health Insurance privately to make up for the short-comings and slow treatment offered by Ireland's government program ? You need to get off the " O'Bama " soap box !

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