Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2011
579 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference of the implementation group on universal health insurance, including the timing for reporting back and the expected date for implementation of the new universal health insurance programme [34221/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra580 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in relation to the implementation group on universal health insurance, the persons that will assist in developing detailed and costed implementation proposals and will also help to push the implementation of the reform programme; when the terms of reference of this group will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34222/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra581 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the expected date for the White Paper on financing universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34223/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 to 581, inclusive, together.
The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, that will ensure equal access to care based on need, not income.
While universal health insurance is the ultimate destination of this Government's reform programme, there are a number of important stepping stones along the way and each of these will play a critical role in improving our health service in advance of the introduction of universal health insurance.
Key reform initiatives include the establishment of the Special Delivery Unit, significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients, the introduction of a more transparent and efficient "Money Follows the Patient" funding mechanism for hospitals and the introduction of a purchaser/provider split, whereby hospitals will be established as independent, not for profit trusts.
With regard to the timeframe for the introduction of universal health insurance, the objective is to work towards having the legislative and organisational groundwork completed by 2016.
Given the complex nature of what is planned, the Government has approved the establishment of, and the terms of reference for, an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance. I am currently finalising details of the Implementation Group, including its composition, and I will announce these in due course.
The Group will assist in developing detailed and costed implementation proposals for universal health insurance and will also help drive the implementation of various elements of the reform programme. The Group will also have responsibility for assisting the Department in preparing a White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance which will outline the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. The White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance will be published within the Government’s current term in office. However, it must be emphasised that the precise cost of universal health insurance will significantly depend on the success of various reform measures, as outlined above, over the next 3 to 4 years. This will influence the development of the White Paper and, as such, it is not possible to be more specific regarding its publication at this stage.
