Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta as ucht a bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht ar an mBille seo. A high proportion of the population holds health insurance. The Government remains fully committed to the Sláintecare vision of a universal single-tier health and social care system. Work is consistently continuing within the Department of Health and the HSE to progress work on Sláintecare. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are fully committed to the continued delivery of Sláintecare reform. Private health insurance policy aims to progressively align with Sláintecare reform objectives but it is important to maintain the effectiveness of the community-rated health insurance market and the risk equalisation scheme that underpins it while that work is ongoing.

This Bill is to ensure we can continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the costs of health insurance are shared across the insured population. Risk equalisation credits based on age have been reallocated to those based on health status without increasing the stamp duty payable. Increasing the proportion of credits associated with health status helps to share risk more effectively across insurers.

The programme for Government commits to retaining access to private care health services for people in Ireland, ensuring choice for those accessing healthcare. This Bill continues our policy of ensuring solidarity with, and affordable premiums for, sicker and older people. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, I commend this Bill to the House.

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