Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Other speakers have gone into detail on risk equalisation, etc., but my parents, who lived to a ripe old age, were members of the VHI for 40 years and insured us as children. We got huge service from the VHI. Like Senator Henry, I praise the organisation and give credit where it is due. My parents reaped benefits from the VHI that were a thousand times greater than what they paid out in premia. I pay high premia for myself and my children and when I grow old I hope I have the comfort of knowing the VHI will be there for me. The Bill provides a mandate for equality, regardless of age or gender.

I do not mean to open a can of worms for the Minister, but something has always puzzled me when in hospital. One signs on the dotted line as a patient for the services one is about to receive and, when discharged, one hears no more until one receives the little slip saying the bill has been paid. It would be nicer if one did not have to sign a claim form when one enters hospital and if one's consultant or team of doctors came to visit one on the day of discharge to say: "This is what we have done for you – we have put your nail back."