Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will repeat what I have said already. First, to include the Deputy's amendment would introduce additional requirements for high-cost claims credits which have not been planned, a matter I have just addressed. Second, forcing cover for all model 2 hospitals would have the unintended impact of driving up the price of entry level plans. The Deputy has not addressed that. It would force up the price of entry level plans. Third, amending the legislation to include cover for all model 2 hospitals would introduce a particular favoured category of public hospital. That would not be appropriate in the context of the Health Insurance Acts. Those are the facts.

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