Dáil debates

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Health Care Services: Motion

 

8:00 pm

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A number of specific questions were asked. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked if the VHI was acting legally its recent announcement. The answer is "Yes".

On the query regarding the cardiac services in Ennis hospital, I understand the Minister is meeting a delegation to discuss the issue next Monday. Deputy Costello referred to figures for the breakdown in services in emergency departments. It is worth noting that in 2010, some 1.2 million people went through our 33 emergency departments. The level of activity has increased. There has been an increase of over 30% in day cases, up 175,000 since 2006. There has also been a 28% increase in outpatient attendance, which is up by 800,000 since 2006. The number of inpatient discharges has remained relatively constant over the period and the average length of stay has reduced from 6.4 days to 6.16 days.

I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate and to underline for the House the importance the Government has placed on the private health insurance market and its role in our wider health system. In her address to the House, the Minister outlined in detail the integrated package of measures the Government has brought together so that the private health insurance market can be strengthened and improved to support those who need it most, the older and sicker members of our society. Private health insurance has played an important and positive role in our health services, in bringing new innovations to medical practice, in encouraging competition and in serving the health needs of our community at the time of greatest need.

A number of Deputies have commented during this debate on the fears of older customers in particular regarding the recent large price rises announced by the VHI. The increases have undoubtedly come at a time when many customers are struggling with significant financial challenges. Some Deputies commented on the Minister's advice about shopping around and felt this was an inadequate response in the context of the increases. However, the Minister demonstrated the comparative rates in her speech last night. While the Minister cannot interfere with the pricing decisions of an insurer operating in a competitive market, she is anxious that private health insurance customers are aware of their rights to switch at any time they choose in order to get better value for money or to improve the benefits available on their policy. The Minister outlined at length last night the significant value for money which is available to all health insurance customers, young or old, healthy or sick. At the Minister's request, the Health Insurance Authority has increased its capacity to answer queries and questions from members of the public. The authority is handling thousands of inquiries and can offer advice and support to all customers on their rights and entitlements, either over the phone or via its website. I would also encourage customers to avail of the supports provided by the HIA in advising on what savings can be achieved.

On risk equalisation, the Minister outlined the significant amounts of money which are now transferring between insurers as a result of the interim scheme introduced by the Government for the period 2009 to 2011. It is important to emphasise that this is the first such transfer which has ever taken place and that the amounts involved are substantial. In spite of what some Deputies have said, the Government has not delayed in introducing a risk equalisation scheme. The interim scheme was always intended to be for this three-year period and is designed to be Exchequer-neutral over that timescale. Legislation will be brought forward this year to provide for a transitional risk equalisation scheme for 2012, while both insurers and the HIA put the systems and processes in place for a permanent risk equalisation scheme which it is planned will take effect from 2013.

The HSE is putting in place strengthened frameworks to manage and closely audit the implementation of the recommendations arising from its project aimed at improving the performance of certain hospitals which had experienced particular problems. The clear focus of the health service is, and must continue to be, on the number of patients we treat and how we treat them, not on the number of beds in the public system. The National Service Plan 2011 commits the HSE to treating people more effectively by reducing costs and reforming the way services are provided, without reducing access to appropriate services. We are treating more patients each year within the available resources and are measuring and improving patient outcomes. This will continue over the coming years.

Much has been made of the review commissioned by the Minister in 2010 on the VHI's claims costs. The purpose of the review, which was referred to by the Minister in the context of the announcement of the future strategy for private health insurance in May 2010, was to understand and examine the reasons VHI costs have increased significantly.

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