The State's health care system is a shambles and unjust, said the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Launching the group's health policy document, "Health Inequalities and Poverty", national social policy chairman Mr John Monaghan said SVP research shows Ireland's health-care system favours the rich.
"In reality, money talks - if you can afford it you get it. If not you wait. This is fundamentally unjust," he said.
"This work confirms to us that the provision of health care in Ireland - particularly to the disadvantaged - is a shambles."
The SVP document says Ireland has the lowest life expectancy in Europe, the highest rate in Europe of premature death from coronary heart disease and the second-worst death rate from cancer in Europe for women.
It says Ireland has the fewest hospital beds per capita in Europe and that Ireland has a five-year waiting list for children in need of orthodontic treatment.
The document proposes a significant drop in waiting lists, raising the limits for medical card eligibility, medical card provision for all children under 18 and a health education programme for disadvantaged communities.
"It is clear radical steps must be taken now," Mr Monaghan said.
