Gerry Adams
Ceist:578. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health when the White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance will be published. [44114/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 16 October 2012
Ceisteanna (578)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to fundamental reform of healthcare in Ireland that will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not income. Every individual will have a choice of health insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services.
In February, I established an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance which will assist in developing detailed implementation plans for universal health insurance and driving implementation of various elements of the health reform programme.
The Group will also assist my Department in preparing a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance. The White Paper will outline details of the UHI model in addition to the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. Preparation of the White Paper is a complex process. It will involve significant financial modelling to support analysis of different design options and to help estimate the cost of UHI. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government’s term of office.