I don't accept that at all. If you have a major event such as a heart attack or stroke you will be dealt with expeditiously through the public system. I know people who have had stents fitted, and others who have had bypass surgery in the public system. These people had no wait time as they were brought to public hospitals in an ambulance. I also know people who have had cancers detected through the bowel screen programme for over 60s and they were promptly dealt with in the public system.The occasional 2-500 on a speedy diagnosis or a visit to a private A&E is one thing, that is a risk most of us would carry in lieu of thousands on insurance.
But the beacon A&E on a Saturday followed by being admitted for a 10 day stay with numerous tests and consultants… that’s scary.
And if you need a private MRI or scan some insurance packages only give you a few euro back but that’s not the risk you ar insured for,
Like driving,,, you can suck up the small scratches and dents but not the major accident leaving many people permanently damaged. That’s what we can’t afford to risk.
The cross border directive is there as a backup for elective procedures if the wait times are too long in the public system. I accept that it wouldn't be ideal but it's there nonetheless.