Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This time two years ago the Minister was apoplectic with rage in this Chamber because the VHI had announced a moderate increase. Since he took office, however, we have had consistent increases, year in year out, month in, month out. The facts do not lie. People are dropping out of health insurance at an alarming rate. The legislation that the Minister passed and brought through this Chamber and the Seanad last year had a direct impact and forced health insurers to increase premia particularly on the lower plans.

Why did the Minister not take the advice of the Health Insurance Authority, HIA, and ensure the 47 lowest plans were on the lowest rate of risk equalisation? What changed in the meantime?

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