Pat Carey
Question:186 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has a policy in the area of risk equalisation in the health insurance market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18232/01]
Written Answers. - Health Insurance.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:198 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when risk equalisation in the health insurance industry will be implemented. [17712/01]
Tony Gregory
Question:228 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the implementation of the Risk Equalisation Fund by the Government (details supplied). [17977/01]
Alan Shatter
Question:229 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the implementation of risk equalisation between existing private health insurers; the sum due to the Voluntary Health Insurance Board pursuant to the existing risk equalisation scheme; and the steps the Government proposes taking to implement risk equalisation and protect community rating. [17978/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 198, 228 and 229 together.
Legislation which will,inter alia, facilitate meeting the objectives for risk equalisation out lined in the White Paper on Private Health Insurance, has recently been passed by Dáil Éireann and is currently before Seanad Éireann for consideration. It is my intention that the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2000, will be enacted before the summer recess. Risk equalisation regulations to be introduced pursuant to the Bill will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas for affirmation as soon as possible after enactment and I hope to be in a position to do so during the autumn.
As stated in the White Paper, changes are being made to the framework for risk equalisation to further facilitate competition. The Bill provides that the Health Insurance Authority, which I established on 1 February this year, will have a significant role to play in relation the commencement of any transfers under the proposed regulations. The original risk equalisation regulations were revoked and no sum is due to any insurer in the market at this time. My position on risk equalisation is fully set out on the record of this House in connection with my explanation and defence of the need for such measures in the course of all stages of debate on the amending Bill. I am satisfied that the revised regulatory framework currently being completed will facilitate competition while ensuring that community rating across the whole market is not distorted, should there be evidence of material differences in the risk profiles of insurers going forward.