Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply but take issue with the assertion that risk equalisation has been effective. The figures show clearly that the opposite is the case. At this stage, it has become apparent that this idea of levying and subsidising is not actually working. Has the Minister considered a proper regulatory framework which would oblige all health insurers to take a reasonable proportion of older insured patients? If he does not, there never will be a shift from the VHI.

On entering office, the Minister commissioned a study by Matheson and Goodbody into the various options for the VHI, including its break-up. Bizarrely, the chief executive of the VHI informed me at the health committee two weeks ago that he has never seen this report. Has the Minister seen the report? Members should also see this report.

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