Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the chairman and chief executive of the Health Insurance Authority. It has mentioned that two of the main supports of health insurance are open enrolment and lifetime cover. That is fine if health insurance is affordable. It was also mentioned that every year since 2008, 50,000 people cannot afford health insurance and leave the system. Health insurance costs are on the rise and employees are taking cuts. Every family feels it needs health insurance at affordable prices, as it is an essential safety blanket for many families. I keep mentioning the word "affordable".

Health insurance has helped many families through difficult times in knowing that medical bills will be paid. I have experience of that. I fully support the Minister's actions and it is very important that universal health insurance comes into effect as soon as possible at an affordable price.