Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and welcome his description of all of these interesting and exciting events, in terms of setting the system up on a different basis from 2016 onwards. It will not be based on the premise that older people cost more. The requirement for Central Bank authorisation, as described by the Minister, is a first. The Minister also made reference to clinical audits and asked why some people are being kept in hospital because they have good insurance while there are waiting lists full of people. Senator Quinn made reference to the Chinese model of paying doctors and keeping people healthy. Perhaps there should be some incentive in place to make sure that people do not stay in hospital for the 10.6 days mentioned in the Milliman Report. I also welcome the news that insurers are driving down costs, even if it annoys people like Senator Crowne when they do so. Hospitals in the private sector are competing on price. Can we not substitute out-patient or GP visits for hospitalisation? At present, only hospitalisation is reimbursed by all of the insurance companies. We should encourage a change in mentality to reduce the burdens on the hospital system. These are all most interesting developments and I thank the Minister for telling us about them. In that context, I wish to withdraw amendment No. 6 and do not wish to move amendments Nos.7 or 8. I thank the Minister for informing us about these exciting developments which have been needed for a long time. As has been said previously, the 58% price increase over a four or five year period could not be sustained.