I tend to disagree with Leo Said about Realta. One does not go on the eve of an election ‘discussing’ a hot issue. The only loser would be the taxpayer. I haven’t seen or heard a good discussion programme on a Maltese station for ages. The one which I follow is “Stampa Cara” on RTK, but even on this programme one has to put up with the organised PL phone elves. A week ago it was hijacked by such people. In these programs one has to decipher what everyone is saying or trying not to say.

It was a shabby show of insular partisan politics.

I can hardly note how the vote of 5 (6) Maltese MEP’s will (can) alter the course, which the “stronger” nations care to take when the veto prerogative is abolished.

Indeed.

The Federal Chamber of Doctors in Germany is an ardent supporter of the Swedish system.

It is not only a pity, and a disappointment, but also an unforgivable error that Dr. Martin Balzan and Dr. Joe Cassar refrained from participating in the Realta discussion on One TV.

Now Professor Scicluna has been downgraded to an ordinary politician.

Ghax tal-muzew kif jghidu:- Kull par ghal paru!!! Tifhem ghalfejn tahseb hekk mela

Ettore, you seem to be aware of how only one part of the system works. The “pink card” which entitles a whole family to receive free medicines is issued according to income. Holders of the “yellow card” who suffer from certain chronic diseases are entitled to free medicines because the state acknowledges that they have a lot of expenses and need help.

These are the two categories that Alfred Sant wanted to tax.

This is utter nonsense. ALL heath systems in the EU are NOT FREE. The patient usually co-pays either by means of an insurance or by direct out-of-pocket contributions .The average patient co-payment s around 20%. Notwithstanding this, ALL health systems are facing difficulties. The reasons are newer, better but much more expensive medicines and treatments, and an aging population. I challenge Profs Scicluna to stand by the veracity of his statement, citing his sources.

As a professional who has dealt with the government on behalf of the private sector on health care many times, and with issues of money on the table, the government has always said “NO” in the most emphatic way to any proposals. be they internal or external, for patients to co-pay. That is the truth, and those are the facts, and I am on record stating this a year ago. I do agree that the patient should co-pay. I advocate it over and over again. Gonzi once told me not to bother him anymore on this because “payments for health” will be introduced over “his dead body”. That is a bloody fact. I don’t agree with this reasoning, but there it is.

Professor Scicluna is just trying to get on the health care bandwagon scaremongering campaign.

Antoine, you seem to be unaware of how the system works. There is a list (several lists, in fact) of scheduled illnesses. If you suffer from any one of them you are entitled to free medicine.

Income does not come into it.

I see that Antoine is still living in denial.