Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
459. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider and evaluate a single payer social insurance model, along the lines of those used in France, Germany and Nordic countries before the Government’s white paper on financing Universal Health Insurance is issued [10766/14]
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, where access is based on need, not income.
The commitment to achieving universal health insurance in a multi-payer insurer model, with competing insurers, was affirmed in the Programme for Government and Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015. Accordingly, the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, will set out the details of a multi-payer model of Universal Health Insurance in which everyone will have their choice of insurer.
I intend to bring the White Paper to Government very soon and to publish thereafter. Following publication I will immediately engage in an extensive and inclusive consultation process whereby everyone will have an opportunity to comment on the proposals.
