The meeting has been convened for the purpose of consideration of Committee Stage of the Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 1998.
I welcome Mr. Brian Cowen, Minister for Health and Children, and his officials.
SECTION 1.
Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 1998: Committee Stage.
I move amendment No.1:
In page 3, subsection (2), lines 28 and 29, to delete "arising from sickness, injury or disease suffered by those persons".
This is a technical amendment to improve the definition of an international health care plan which will broaden the possibilities for its application. It provides that benefits available under our plan do not have to be specifically linked to the occurrence of sickness, injury or disease.
The amendment would, for instance, facilitate a plan offering more comprehensive benefits perhaps concerning areas such as medical check ups and screening, which the insurer may deem attractive to the consumer. It also removes any doubt that a comprehensive range of medical services such as normal maternity cover would come within the ambit of a plan.
Overall, the effect of the amendment is to broaden the possible parameters within which the insurer may formulate a plan and will also build into the definition the flexibility to incorporate changes in a plan over time which may be warranted to meet competitive challenges or other considerations. This is a positive move from both the business and consumer standpoints. I request that Members accept the amendment.
Amendment agreed to.
Section, 1, as amended, agreed to.
Sections 2 to 4, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported with amendment.