Blog 9: Amid Cutbacks, Greek Doctors Offer Message to Poor: You Are Not Alone

Ever since the debt crisis has taken hold the health care in Greece has changed dramatically. Before this, Greece had a typical European health system, employers and individuals contributed to a fund where the government was able to provide universal health care. People who became unemployed received health care for a year and were still treated by hospitals if they still could not afford to pay after their benefits expired. After Greece signed a supplemental loan agreement to avoid financial collapse Greek people are now forced to pay all health costs out of pocket after their benefits expire.  The change to the health care system has caused people to seek health outside the health care system. Many people are now being referred to an underground movement that has sprung up to take care of the uninsured. Dr. Giorgos Vichas is responsible for this new movement.  Dr. Vichas has set up a network to help uninsured cancer patients and other ill people by using spare medicines donated by pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and even families of cancer patients who have died. Although this method is working not Dr. Vichas says that it will only work for a matter of time because people eventually will no longer be able to donate. They are pressuring the state to take responsibility again. Dr. Vichas says that he has never imagined being so overwhelmed with people in need.

This article is significant because it shows what has happened to the health care system in Greece. Greece has stopped paying for health care for people who are unemployed after their unemployment benefits have run out. Because Greece has done this they are forcing people to pay for their own health care and these people who cannot afford it are being ignored. Although people are banning together to help the unemployed it cannot last forever. Without Greece taking responsibility for its people in need they will die. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/world/europe/greek-unemployed-cut-off-from-medical-treatment.html?pagewanted=2