Despite his oncologist recommending chemotherapy and immunotherapy as the best treatment plan, Bernard’s health insurer initially refused to cover the cost of the immunotherapy, leaving him to shoulder the financial burden.
Bernard Mahon, a Celbridge man battling stage four stomach cancer, has issued a call for urgent reforms in Ireland’s healthcare system after being forced to pay €10,000 out of pocket for life-saving immunotherapy.
Despite his oncologist recommending chemotherapy and immunotherapy as the best treatment plan, Bernard’s health insurer initially refused to cover the cost of the immunotherapy, leaving him to shoulder the financial burden.
His insurer later reversed its decision and agreed to cover future treatments after two months, but Bernard is determined to ensure no other cancer patient has to endure the same ordeal.
His story is now at the heart of the Irish Cancer Society’s general election campaign, which demands equal access to vital medications and treatments for all cancer patients, regardless of income or insurance coverage.
Bernard said he is speaking out because he can and that not everybody would be in a situation to speak up.
"I'm not going to do down without a fight...part of being a decent human being is that you stand up for the people around you," he said.
He added: "When you get the diagnosis you have enough to fight and it really should be that you just get the medical card."
The campaign highlights the stark inequities in Ireland’s healthcare system, where access to life-saving treatments can depend on financial means or the specifics of an insurance policy.
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