Eamonn Maloney
Question:1142. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health his plans for coverage of mental illness and prescribed medicines under the proposed new universal health insurance schemes. [16202/13]
View answerTuesday, 16 April 2013
Questions (1142)
Written answers
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, 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 new UHI system will be underpinned by a robust legislative framework and grounded in the principles of open enrolment, lifetime cover and community rating.
The Department is preparing a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance which will provide further detail on the UHI model for Ireland. As part of this work, policy proposals are being developed in relation to defining the scope and content of services covered by the standard UHI package. Following careful consideration by Government, these proposals will feed into the development of the published White Paper.
In advance of the White Paper, I published The Path to Universal Healthcare: A Preliminary Paper on Universal Health Insurance in February 2013. This document provides a comprehensive update on progress achieved to date and sets out the main actions for the road ahead in relation to laying the foundations for UHI.