Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It may be that the Minister of State is not prepared to listen to me. I made those points to here. As I indicated, all the other insurers cover those hospitals. How can it increase the cost if a number of hospitals with one insurer are included when every other insurer is prepared to do it? We are talking about a level playing field here. That is all I am looking for. A principle of this legislation is that there should be a level playing field. We are saying that in terms of age and illness it must be a level playing field, but that one insurer that wants to discriminate geographically is allowed to do so. That is the point I am making. I am looking to have equitable treatment across the board. The issue is with Irish Life Health. This is not an issue with the other insurers. If the other insurers can do it cost-effectively, why can Irish Life Health not do it? The Minister of State says she cannot and will not intervene because it will push up the cost of policies.

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