Universal Health Insurance Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Questions (51, 62)

Robert Troy

Question:

51. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the timescale for the introduction of Universal Health Insurance in 2016 is feasible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57086/12]

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

62. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if rights based legislation will be introduced to ensure patients’ rights to care across our health and personal social services, especially given the his intention to introduce universal health insurance based on competing private insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57019/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 62 together.

The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not on income. Under UHI, every individual will be insured and will have equal access to a standard package of primary and acute hospital services, including acute mental health services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy. The new UHI system will be underpinned by a robust legislative framework and grounded in principles of open enrolment, lifetime cover and community rating.

In moving to a system of UHI, there are a number of key stepping stones that are necessary to pave the way for the introduction of universal health insurance including: the strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients; the work of the Special Delivery Unit in tackling waiting times and establishing hospital groups, and the introduction of a more transparent and efficient "Money Follows the Patient" funding mechanism for hospitals.

The reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencing over a number of years. The Programme for Government acknowledges that full implementation of UHI will take some time to achieve. Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2016 highlights the importance of a step-by-step evidence-based approach to achieving an effective, equitable and efficient system. Work on the critical building blocks is underway and it is anticipated that by 2016 much of the necessary groundwork will be in place to ensure that we are well placed to proceed with implementation of UHI.

Finally, in designing the future UHI system and associated legal and regulatory framework, it is important to acknowledge that, as is the case with all countries, we must make choices in meeting healthcare demands with finite resources. This involves legitimate policy choices to be debated and resolved as part of the democratic process.