Buying your health - is it morally acceptable?

Got the money - can live

not got the money - can die

I live in a country wherein the Constitution does not give us RIGHTS to health care. Yep....repeat: we do NOT have any RIGHTS to health care in Ireland under our constitution.

Is that why successive governments have simply not bothered about those who cannot 'buy health' in any shape or form?   They don't HAVE to supply a public health service.

and arguably they don't. Though in reality we DO have a 'public health system'.

The government would say everyone is cared for.

But being on a waiting list is not health care
waiting three years is not health care
being discharged because the consultant doesn't like you is not health care
having no service for rare disease patients is not health care
4 sessions of physio in 6 months is not health care
being given incontinent pads/knickers instead of a personal assistant is not health care
lying on an A&E trolley for 8 hours with no pain killers given (in dire agony) is not health care
lying on same trolley in your own faeces for an hour is not health care

I could go on.

Yesterday I bought health care. I'm not proud of it. but I was seriously worried. I am a socialist, feminist, equality campaigner. buying health care sticks in my graw. it goes against all my fundamental beliefs that health care should be free, state provided and available to all.

Why? because we are ALL, part of the State of Ireland, ALL contributing to keeping this State alive. We are ALL contributing. From the poorest to the richest . (though personally I think the rich take more than they give).

But I DID buy my health care yesterday. I walked into a private, palatial, Health clinic. The décor reeked 'rich', status, and privilege.

The pond with goldfish and a little boy squirting water on an umbrella in the entrance atrium was symbolically calm, nourishing, cleaning, wholesome, peaceful and...er...rich.

the see through fancy lift to the 4th floor ...said...money

the vegetation, not sure whether real or plastic, screamed...different...rich

the consultants rooms were pleasant with warm respectful receptionists, newspapers and 'Hello' magazines (suitable for the Rich)

The consultant was equally warm, respectful and exuded patience, explaining, taking time, listening.
(you pay for that)

In fact you really saw where your money went. The minute you walked through the door.

But I bought health yesterday because a public system deemed my eyes were fine...when I knew I couldn't see well. When I knew they were definitely NOT fine.

you know what? I was right.  I had Glaucoma and Glaucoma damage such that my visual field in my left eye is now half of what it should be.
I had a cataract in my left eye causing double vision.

I bought that diagnosis...
I bought the treatment

I will, NOW, not go blind.