Labour will not discuss health reform 'unless care stays free'

There will be no discussion with the government on health reform if the principle of free health care for all is not kept, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

He said the reform did not enjoy a parliamentary majority, since more than one government MP was opposed to it.

Jean Pierre Farrugia, a backbencher on the government side, has said he would not vote for the reform bill in its present form, partly on the grounds that the proposed change would bring about charges on medical services which so far have been free.

"It is irrelevant to discuss the details of health reform if we do not agree with the principle it is based upon. The government should remove all reference to any payment for health care and we will sit down and discuss," Dr Muscat said when addressing the party faithful at Notre Dame Gate in Vittoriosa yesterday.

He recalled the pledge made by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi before the last general election - that health care would remain free - and said it was a promise the people trusted.

Reacting to the speech, the Health Ministry accused Dr Muscat of twisting facts, insisting it was the government's policy to provide the best health care for free.

The Labour leader said the party would be attending next Sunday's protest organised by 11 unions against the high water and electricity tariffs and urged people to "legitimately and peacefully" make their voice heard.

On the morrow of the protest, Parliament is expected to debate the Labour Party's motion calling for the withdrawal of the legal notice that introduced the higher rates.

"The new tariffs threaten jobs," he said.

Referring to a TVM news report last week which had quoted the Finance Minister saying utility rates had to increase for Malta to avoid Greece's deficit crisis, Dr Muscat said this shot down the government's argument that the bills had to go up because of the price of oil.

"This government has dragged us into an awkward position: we now have a roofless theatre and a bottomless pit for a deficit," he jibed with reference to Renzo Piano's plans to have an open air theatre on the site of the Royal Opera House ruins.

Dr Muscat did not actually declare his party's stand on the Piano plans but insisted the way it had developed was a mess and the Prime Minister was arrogant when he did not listen to what people had to say.

The Prime Minister declared last week that he was willing to discuss Mr Piano's proposals for a roofless theatre with 128 known artists and personalities who have signed a petition opposing the concept.

Turning to the crowd in front of him, Dr Muscat urged Labour supporters to welcome anybody who wanted to form part of the movement of progressives and moderates that was developing around the party.

"We have to be a movement of work that represents all workers, including the self-employed. We do not want to create a rift between investors and employees. We have to work together. This is the meaning of solidarity," he said.

Dr Muscat started off the meeting by congratulating singer Thea Garrett for winning the Malta Eurosong contest the night before.

District MPs Chris Agius, Helena Dalli and Joe Mizzi also addressed the crowd.

The Finance Ministry said Dr Muscat misrepresented what Minister Tonio Fenech said on TV, insisting he had been speaking about the reforms undertaken over the past two years, which saw the government withdrawing subsidies to contain the deficit.

The ministry accused the Labour Party of retaining a belief in subsidies. The government had invested money to save jobs, it added, and had issued a number of schemes to aid companies wanting to invest in alternative energy among others.

The Nationalist Party also criticised Dr Muscat's participation in next Sunday's protest organised by the unions, insisting this was not the right time for such demonstrations.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com