Terence Flanagan
Question:1133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the revised timing for the introduction of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34776/14]
View answerWednesday, 17 September 2014
Questions (1133)
Written answers
The Government remains committed to the health reform programme, in particular the objective of a single-tier health system and to this end published the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance in April of this year. My Department initiated a consultation process on the White Paper following its publication. An independent analysis of the submissions is underway and I expect to receive this report later this month.
My Department has also initiated a major costing exercise to estimate the cost of UHI for households and the Exchequer and is working closely with the ESRI and the Health Insurance Authority and initial costings should be available in early 2015.
Recently I suggested that the target date of 2019 for the implementation of UHI may be too ambitious. The independent thematic analysis of submissions from the consultation process on the White Paper and the results of the major costing exercise on UHI will assist in charting a realistic course towards the objective of a universal, single-tier health service.
I am committed to the objective of universal primary care as a key building block for a universal healthcare system. The first priority in this area is the phased introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population. Other key healthcare reforms which are being implemented include the establishment of hospital groups and the ongoing rollout of Money Follows The Patient.