John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the studies and costing her Department has carried out on the introduction of universal health insurance; if she will supply this Deputy with details of this costing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13675/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has from time to time examined the broad principles underlying different health funding mechanisms, including universal health insurance and this would include studies of papers, international and otherwise, on these different mechanisms.

In regard to costing it is not possible to provide a detailed costing of specific proposals on universal health insurance. To do so it would be necessary to have clear information on particular issues like benefits, levels of reimbursement, including contracts with service providers etc.