Vol. 424 No. 1
76 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is currently considering an increase in fees for the Voluntary Health Insurance Board; if he has satisfied himself that the VHI can meet its members' health costs without restricting access to public hospital beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The question of an increase in VHI subscriptions is at present under consideration by Government.
As regards access to public hospitals' beds the VHI has no role to play. A patient who elects for private or semiprivate care in a public hospital will be treated on that basis. My Department has already negotiated with the VHI an overall budget for public hospitals for this year and the board's financial commitment is limited to the negotiated amount.
