Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the context of his earlier contribution, has the Minister re-examined the issue of lifetime community rating? We discussed this issue during a debate on a Bill this time last year which is now on the Statute Book and at that time the Minister undertook to investigate it. Will he comment on it?

There is merit in Deputy Kelleher's amendments. By reducing the threshold from 12% to 10%, it would reduce the demand on the risk equalisation fund and as a result reduce the upward pressure on the health insurance levy. It would mean that across the board everyone paying health insurance would pay a reduced levy. That would be a positive development. I accept that the European Commission has said 12% is adequate, but the health insurance system is in crisis and this would alleviate the pressure. The Minister has given very stark figures on the percentages of people over the ages of 70 and 80 years who change provider in the health insurance market. He told people to shop around and said the HIA has a very good website, but as a person who has used the HIA website, I found it very confusing. I am half the age of an 80 year old and I would not like to be that person trying to negotiate his or her way over the web. The HIA has a fund of €8 million in cash; would it not make far more sense for it to tap into some of that money, engage with active age organisations around the country and Age Action Ireland and actively sit down with older people and show them where they can get the same level of cover at a cheaper price from another insurer? The HIA has appeared before this committee and has given evidence that some of the other insurance companies are providing the exact same cover, but older people are risk averse and afraid to shift from one insurance company to another. This is part of the problem. My point is that the HIA itself needs to actively engage with this issue. It is a damning indictment of the HIA that there is such a stark contrast between the overall level of cover and that of the different age cohorts. If the Aviva and Laya health insurance companies had a higher number in the older age cohort, it would reduce the overall pressure on the risk equalisation fund and as a consequence reduce the cost of health insurance for everyone.