The Proposed 1Care – Does It Really Care?

By Toh Kin Woon

Introduction

Aneurin Bevan (1897-1960), who was the Minister of Health in the United Kingdom immediately after the 2nd World War, once stressed that where medical needs exist, medical care should be provided and budgets should be of secondary importance. Based on this progressive and compassionate principle, he went on to establish Great Britain’s National Health System (NHS), which was then one of the most inclusive, comprehensive and equitable healthcare systems in the world. Unfortunately, Bevan’s stand is not much supported by many policy-makers today, especially after the widespread dissemination of neo-liberalism. The consequences are concern over costs rather than adequate healthcare coverage for the people, especially the poor and marginalized and priority on profits for healthcare providers over good health for the general population, achieved largely through rationing of heath care resources via the ability to pay rather than need.