Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013
329. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delays being experienced by his Department in the preparation and publication of the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, and the preliminary document to the White Paper, promised in Future Health in November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7857/13]
View answerThe 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, everyone 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 reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencing over a number of years. Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015 highlights the importance of a step-by-step evidence-based approach to achieving an effective, equitable and efficient system and sets out key actions to systematically deliver on reform.
One of these actions is the production of a preliminary document on UHI by end 2012. This Preliminary Paper was produced in December in line with the target. It was considered by the Cabinet Committee on Health in January and will be published very shortly.
The Department is preparing a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance which will provide further detail on the UHI model for Ireland in addition to the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. The work involved is both complex and technical, necessitating significant research and financial modelling to support analysis and costing of different design options. This, in turn, demands a wide-range of specialised expertise. The Department is engaged in a process to ensure the provision of this expertise to feed into work on the preparation of the White Paper during 2013. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government's term of office.
It is anticipated that by 2016 the necessary groundwork will be in place to enable us to phase in implementation of UHI, as promised in the Programme for Government.
