Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 3

Written Answers - Health Insurance Regulator.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

201 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to introduce legislation to set up the new health insurance regulator; and if this regulator will have the powers for the licensing of all new facilities and equipment, including new MRI scanners at private and public hospitals. [18576/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

Legislation to set up a health insurance authority is contained in Part IV of the Health Insurance Act, 1994. The recently published White Paper on Private Health Insurance stated that the Government has given approval, in principle, to the establishment of the authority and described the functions it would perform. It is my intention that the authority will be established at an early date and my Department will shortly be initiating the necessary arrangements in that regard.

The functions of the authority do not include responsibilities in relation to the licensing of new facilities and equipment. It was considered that it would not be appropriate to attempt to limit the utilisation of new technology through a licensing procedure in circumstances where insurers have the capacity under existing health insurance regulations to engage in preferred provider arrangements as regards the facilities they cover on behalf of their customers.

The Deputy referred, in particular, to the licensing of MRI scanners at public and private hospitals. The position in relation to private hospitals is that it is entirely a matter for the hospital authorities concerned to determine their position regarding the availability of such technology. In relation to public hospitals, an expert study was commissioned in regard to existing arrangements nationwide. This study was conducted by Professor David Banta, who is an international expert in health technology assessment. Professor Banta's findings, announced in 1997, identified the need to develop MRI facilities at University College Hospital, Galway, St. James's Hospital and the new Tallaght Hospital. My Department is currently in discussion with the management of the three hospitals concerning the installation and operational requirements for their facilities.

I also wish to inform the Deputy that a working group has been established within my Department to determine the best approach to the broader issue of health technology assessment. This work will be informed by initiatives in the area at EU level, and information and developments arising in that respect will be disseminated by my Department to public and private hospital interests and to insurers.