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

The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not on income. Under UHI, everyone will be insured and will have equal access to a standard package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. A new insurance fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.

The Department is preparing a White Paper on universal health insurance which will provide further detail on the UHI model for Ireland in addition to the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. Broadly, this involves the development of detailed policy proposals covering issues such as the design of the UHI model, the scope and composition of the UHI basket of services and funding and financial support mechanisms for UHI. More detail in relation to the overall process for producing the White Paper, including the projects, studies and policy appraisals that need to be undertaken, is set out in the preliminary paper on UHI, The Path to Universal Healthcare, published by the Department in February 2013 and available on its website, www.doh.gov.ie.

A special UHI design team has recently been set up to oversee and support the work involved in the design of the UHI model and the preparation of the White Paper on universal health insurance. The membership of the UHI design team comprises officials of the Department of Health, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Health Research Board and the implementation group on universal health insurance.

The work involved in UHI design is both complex and technical and demands a wide range of legal and financial expertise. Accordingly, it is envisaged that the design team will be supported by specialised expertise at appropriate junctures. To this end, the Department has recently engaged legal expertise to support deliberations in relation to the design of the UHI model. Work on the development of detailed policy proposals is proceeding with a view to publishing the White Paper as early as possible.

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