James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 8, to delete lines 4 and 5 and substitute the following:" 'advanced cover' shall be construed in accordance with section 11E(4);".

Amendments Nos. 4 and 7 propose the deletion of the definition of non-advanced and advanced products as defined in section 11E. Amendment No. 17 provides replacement definitions for them. Since I published the Bill, the Department has had very useful and constructive discussions with the private health insurers, through the consultative forum, on the various provisions of the Bill. As a result of the discussions, I have decided to introduce an objective delineation between products which the Health Insurance Authority is satisfied provide for non-advanced cover and all other products. This provides a more clearly defined definition for non-advanced products as those which will provide not more than 66% of the full cost of hospital charges in a private hospital or not more than the prescribed minimum payments under the Health Insurance Act 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations 1996. Any other relevant contract is a relevant contract which provides for advanced cover. Amendment No. 8 provides for the definition of private hospital accommodation for the entire Bill rather than confining it to section 11. Private hospital accommodation means accommodation in a private hospital, whether or not in a bed, or accommodation in a publicly funded hospital in a bed which is designated as private.