Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I thank the Minister for her presentation to the House. It is clear a review of the VHI and all health insurance is needed. The Labour Party favours a delivery of universal insurance for all patients. The Minister favours private insurers over the not-for-profit insurance provider and VHI, which has led to significantly higher premia, with an increase of 25% in the past two years and 50% in the past six years. In her contribution the Minister stated: "The third repeal is of section 3 of the Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 1996, a section that obliges the VHI board to notify any proposed premium increases of health insurance premia to the Minister and gives the Minister the power to direct the board not to implement increases." As has already been noted by fellow Senators, when this did not happen in 1991, there was a double whammy after the election.

Freedom of pricing is an essential requirement but a breakdown of costings is also required, particularly itemisation of the services being provided by a hospital. For example, I became ill while abroad and attended a clinic for a week. At the end of that time, I received an itemised bill for just under €600. I was quite happy to pay because I knew what I was paying for and had clarity as to the nature of the costs. As I was a nurse with other nurses, I did not go to hospital because I thought I should stay out of it. Unfortunately, this did not favour me because I did not get paid by the VHI when I returned home.

There have been many advances in medical technology which have led to better diagnosis, shorter hospital stays and, in some cases, no hospital stay. However, how often are the services we provide in hospitals reviewed? I believe the Bill is a softening up for privatisation. There are many aspects of local financial arrangements. For example, from my work I am aware that patients with VHI cover often wish to avail of a private room after giving birth to a baby, which is a time when one would really want a private room. However, they cannot access a private room because they are not the private patient of a consultant, thus denying the hospital the money for the room. Having a baby is a perfectly natural life event and I do not understand why a consultant is needed in this regard.

I am not against consultants in any way. I have the highest respect for them, especially those in South Tipperary General Hospital. I must mention that.