Vol. 498 No. 1
236 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the progress made in opening up health insurance to new players; if he has considered the case that is being made to modify the financial averaging rules that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26398/98]
Our present health insurance regulatory framework comprises the Health Insurance Act 1994 and the Health Insurance Regulations 1996. My Department is currently preparing a White Paper on private health insurance. This will address, inter alia, the existing private health insurance framework in the context of consolidating a competitive market based on the core principles of community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover. This process includes an examination of all aspects of the application of the regulatory framework, including provisions relating to risk equalisation, with a view to determining what modifications, if any, may prove beneficial for the future. The matter of appropriate measures which may attract further players to our market is receiving attention in the consideration of the measures to be contained in the White Paper.
