Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her Department will examine the possibility of developing a small health insurance scheme which would cover low income patients for tests which require to be carried out prior to assessment for medical procedures or referral to the National Treatment Fund as public patients experiencing long delays under the current system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3648/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Eligibility changes made under the Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 1991 removed the scope for combining private and public care in order to protect the position of the public patient. It would not be possible therefore for an individual to avail of both a health insurance scheme and treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund for the same episode of care.