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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Hospital Charges.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

6 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of revenue which will be generated by the most recent increase in hospital charges in respect of out-patient and in-patient hospital care.

It is estimated that the recent changes in the out-patient and in-patient charges will generate an additional £1.5 million and £2.7 million respectively.

I put it to the Minister that the surreptitious introduction of swingeing charges has caused grave concern throughout society and that the manner in which it was done, immediately prior to the budget, was an unfair practice. Will the Minister accept that hardship will accrue to those taxpayers who are unable to qualify for a medical card and who are unable to afford payments to the VHI, and how does he propose to cater for that sector?

I do not regard it as surreptitious to respond to a parliamentary question. The information was given in reply to Deputy Bruton.

It was extracted.

It was not my fault that the Deputy tabled the question on a particular day. In relation to the swingeing charges, the charges will achieve a modest income this year of the order I have already outlined. All medical card holders, accounting for 36 per cent of the population, are exempt from the charges together with people who are exempted from both inpatient and outpatient charges — all medical card holders' dependants; women receiving services in respect of motherhood; children up to six weeks of age; children suffering from diseases and disabilities described in section 52 of the Health Act, including mental handicap, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy; children referred for treatment from a child health clinic or a school examination; persons receiving services in respect of infectious diseases described under the Health Act, 1947; persons deemed to have full eligibility by a chief medical officer under section 45 of the Health Act; persons in receipt of long term care in geriatric, psychiatric and mental handicap institutions. Those other categories who are not covered in that general list, those who are over the limit for a medical card may be covered under plan P for all charges of the VHI at an annual cost of £10.50 per individual.

I put it to the Minister that the increase in charges for health services will in effect put VHI premia through the roof and will cause a crisis in the VHI.

I would ask the Deputy not to be alarmist.

Six to seven million pounds.

I have already had discussions with the VHI board. Deputies may have seen the statement they issued in relation to the matter last week. Those discussions are ongoing. I intend to incorporate in the discussions the future of the VHI in relation to the various legal requirements required of the board next year. I look forward to a very cooperative engagement with the VHI in the coming weeks.

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