Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

The debate on this Bill should make us reflect on our own lifestyles and health. This Bill is appropriate and important because it introduces competition to health insurance. BUPA and VHI hold a monopoly. As a 32 year old male I have never been targeted by BUPA or VHI so I will take this opportunity to talk about men's health and health insurance.

Statistics prove that men do not look after themselves, be they young or old. They think they are indestructible, that nothing will break. Senator Feighan will agree that soccer is the only forum where private insurance companies target young men. That forum presented my only opportunity to think about health insurance and the chance that something might go wrong with my health. A large percentage of men are introduced to health insurance by their wives or, in Senator Feighan's case, his mother.