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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

27 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health the reason he decided to increase inpatient and outpatient hospital charges especially in view of the hardship that this may cause for those who are not on medical cards but who cannot afford VHI cover; if he will reconsider his decision in regard to these charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The decision by Government to increase public in-patient and out-patient hospital charges was taken in the context of restructuring the cost sharing arrangements which operate in the public hospital sector.

In deciding upon the level of increase the Government was mindful that payment of the charges should not lead to undue hardship for an individual or family. In this regard I have asked the chief executive officers of the health boards in exercising their discretionary powers on grounds of hardship to be particularly conscious of patients' circumstances. I have suggested, as a general guideline, that the total out-patient charges for any one family should not exceed £60 in a twelve month period. In relation to the public hospital in-patient charge I have instructed my Department to carry out a review of the current regulations to ensure that the charge does not have a disproportionate impact on persons admitted to hospitals for very short stays.
The Deputy will be aware that the Voluntary Health Insurance Board offers a low cost healthcare insurance plan (Plan P) against the cost of public hospital in-patient and out-patient charges. The current annual group scheme subscription rate for cover under this plan is £10.50 for an adult and £4.55 for a child.
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