asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the position of persons who are members of the Voluntary Health Insurance when the new hospitalisation scheme comes into force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voluntary Health Insurance Contributors.
34.
A significant number of Voluntary Health Insurance members are already entitled to the hospital services in question, that is, free services in a public ward and assistance towards the cost of private or semi-private accommodation. These are not affected by the proposed extension of eligibility.
The remaining members will become entitled to similar hospital services when the income limit is abolished. Members whose insurance is due to expire on 1st April next have been advised recently by the Voluntary Health Insurance Board of the minimum number of units they will need to enable them to retain their present insurance cover, if they wish to opt for private or semi-private treatment.
Is there to be any function for the VHI in the future?
Of course there is. The VHI will supplement the costs of hospitalisation in respect of those persons who, although entitled to free hospital treatment would wish to have private or semi-private accommodation.
Deputy Briscoe.
Is this the only reason——
The Chair has called Deputy Briscoe.
——for the future existence of the VHI?
The Chair must insist on Deputy Briscoe being allowed to speak.
I do not mind giving way to Deputy Moore.
The Deputy should have indicated that.
Can the Minister say whether there will be an increase this year in the VHI's unit price?
That is a separate question.
The VHI have advised those members whose subscriptions are due for renewal and I assume they will also be in contact with others.
There was no indication on that notice as to the price.
In view of the fact that there will be no point in insuring children under the VHI after the 1st April will the Minister arrange with the board that parents may insure themselves only?
Why not have the additional supplement in which case there would be the option of private accommodation?
Normally a child has no wish to go into a private ward and usually it would not be to the benefit of the child to go into such a ward.
Surely this would be a matter to be arranged between the applicant and the VHI.
As I understand it, an insured person must automatically cover any children he has. Therefore, because of the development that is scheduled to take place on the 1st April, will the Minister arrange with the VHI that children need not necessarily be insured under the VHI scheme?
That would be a matter for consultation between the VHI board and the parents.
At present subscribers are told that they must insure their children also.
We are getting into the realm of argument.
Would the Minister agree to have that situation changed?
No. I will leave the matter between the applicant and the VHI board.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.