Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the opportunity to make some brief comments on behalf of the Regional Group on the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Minister and I have interacted over the last four and a half years on health issues in this Chamber and, indeed, in the Convention Centre, so he knows my views. Very similar to, I would say, most Deputies in this Chamber, we are in favour of a single-tier universal healthcare model, and for good reason. I refer to a properly funded, properly functioning health service where clinical treatment is given on the basis of clinical need rather than ability to pay. That is the way to go. I back up all those who have spoken in defence of that.

That said, if people want to send their family to private tuition in a private school, that is entirely their prerogative. I am in favour of that choice if people want to go privately or if they have the ability to do so. What I am against is when people have no alternative, as Deputy Boyd Barrett was saying, and when they must or feel compelled to do so. I also have a concern regarding private patients being treated in public hospitals. That is not a good model. I recognise the complexities of the issue and that it probably will not be solved in the short term. We have a roadmap with Sláintecare, however, and we should pursue that as soon as possible.

Despite all its imperfections in the context and the background of this Bill, I am supportive of it, particularly because of its three objectives, the first of which is in respect of community rating. I agree 100%. I am encouraged by the Health Insurance Authority's recent survey that showed over 70% of the public are in favour of this community rating and believe people should not be penalised or have their premiums loaded or otherwise weighted against them in respect of their age, sickness level or gender. A lot of people are saying Irish society is fragmenting and unravelling. Perhaps rumours of its demise have proven to be premature because 70% is a significant majority in favour of the community weighting. I am very much in favour of that and I am glad to see it. Second, regarding the sustainability of it, I think it is a good model. It washes its own face. It does not need any Exchequer funding. It is something that is sustainable and it is good to see it. Third, I will not say it prevents but it at least reduces the risk of overcompensation for health insurance companies. As Deputy Boyd Barrett pointed out, it is a massively lucrative industry, so any downward pressure the Minister can put on those profits to the benefit of the public would be hugely appreciated.

Regarding the cost of insurance, the fact it is about €1,600 per premium per person a year is an astronomical cost on top of everything else. The cost has increased approximately 12% in the past 18 months or so. Inflation is running at about 2% at the moment, so the rate of medical inflation is six times the rate of general inflation. That is unsustainable and something has to be done there from that perspective. I urge the Minister to use any lever and any leverage he has and to apply any pressure he can to keep those premiums down, as this would be very much appreciated.

I am obviously hugely supportive of the free HRT to which the Minister passed reference. For all the imperfections of the Thirty-third Dáil, this is one of the legacies we can look at when we are looking back at our performance of the past five years and say that this at least was something positive we did.

This is probably my last time interacting with the Minister from a health perspective in the Chamber, dealing with the realities.

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