asked the Minister for Health when he expects to introduce a compulsory contributory health scheme to replace the present system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compulsory Contributory Health Scheme.
48.
Under the Health Contributions Act, 1971, persons with limited eligibility for health services, that is, those above the medical card level but entitled to the hospital services, pay contributions towards the cost of the health services available to them. These are at the rate of 15p a week for insured workers, collected in the social insurance stamp, and £7 a year for others. As recently announced, this is to be changed to a pay-related scheme of contributions.
These health contributions are not, of course, designed to replace the existing general system for financing the health services. When, in the next few years, the health charges on the rates have been eliminated in accordance with the Government's policy, the Exchequer will remain the main source of finance for the services.
I am not quite clear about this. Did the Minister give a date?
Can the Minister state if there will be a compulsory contributory health scheme to replace the present system and if it will apply to everyone?
My aim would be to have a comprehensive health service but the Deputy will appreciate that it would be costly. It is estimated that it would take an extra £30 million to have such a service and the financing of a comprehensive health scheme would have to be thought out very carefully.
Those under the present £1,600 limit pay compulsory health contributions. Will the abolition of this limit necessarily mean that everyone will pay a health payment of 15p per week or £7 per year? Is this what the Minister is saying?
No. What I am saying is that under the change those eligible will pay in relation to their incomes.
Everyone?
Yes.
How will the pay relation be settled when it is a question of valuation as it is at the moment in that particular area of the health service?
This is one of the problems that must be sorted out before the regulation is finally made.