Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children
Health Insurance Levy: Discussion
11:15 am
Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
In its discussions with the Department, the health insurers said there was engagement. A White Paper on universal health insurance is coming down the tracks. In terms of broader discussion on the sustainability of the health insurance market per se, how much open discussion takes place with the health insurers on trying to bring about a platform for a sustainable health insurance model prior to the move to universal health insurance? I am aware there was discussion in some areas on the advanced and non-advanced plans but that obviously fell flat in view of the published legislation.
The incentivisation of younger people was debated at length at the committee and raised in the House on numerous occasions. Nobody has yet told me how we can go about incentivising young people to take out and remain in health insurance. Everybody says it is an aspiration and that it should be done to maintain and support health insurance and the viability of the market. What is the best way to proceed within the confines of the policy under which insurers must operate with regard to risk equalisation, the levy and so on? Is there a mechanism available to the insurers to attract young people into the insurance market or are their hands tied because of the policy decisions and the legislation under which they must work?
In terms of the requirement to be regulated under the Central Bank, there is a large shortfall in the VHI's solvency funds. From where is the funding expected to come? Will it come through a direct subvention from the taxpayer, through increased premiums or through greater efficiencies?
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