Helen Keogh
Ceist:54 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to compensate hospitals for losses incurred as a result of the VHI cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/95]
Written Answers. - VHI Cap.
Limerick East): Between 1992-94 my Department centrally negotiated with the VHI Board a level of reimbursement for health board and public voluntary hospitals in respect of VHI subscribers. This figure was allocated among these agencies by my Department. As the basis on which the system has operated was communicated to agencies at the outset the issue of any further reimbursement from the Exchequer does not arise.
In the context of my Department's new regulatory role in the operation of the EU Single Market in health insurance it is no longer possible to continue this centralised system. Future reimbursement arrangements between VHI, or any other insurer, and the public agencies will be the subject of directly negotiated agreements between the parties concerned.