asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the fact that the free hospitalisation scheme has not been implemented, he proposes to advise those not covered by the Health Acts to increase their cover under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - VHI Cover.
40.
The extent to which subscribers to the Voluntary Health Insurance Board's hospital scheme take out insurance cover is entirely a matter between individual subscribers and the board. I understand, however, that it is the normal practice of the board to warn subscribers of the danger of allowing themselves to become under-insured. The board in recent times, because of escalating costs of hospital services, have been recommending to subscribers at appropriate intervals the minimum number of maintenance and treatment units which ought to be taken out, distinguishing between subscribers who have Health Act entitlement and those who have not.
Would the Minister accept that because of the publicity given to the free hospitalisation scheme, many people may not have continued with adequate VHI cover?
I am informed otherwise. I am told that there are 510,000 subscribers and that of these, 200,000 are in the limited eligibility category, that is, in the middle income group. There was no fall whatever in the number for March-April, 1974. As I indicated in my reply, subscribers are notified at intervals of the maintenance and treatment units necessary to ensure adequate cover.
Is the Minister saying that there have been a greater number of people seeking VHI cover during the past year than ever before?
No. I am merely giving the Deputy the figures I have. I have no comparative figures as between now and 12 months ago.