Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
728. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will be establishing the expert commission on the future basket of services, including those that will be covered under universal health insurance, UHI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41778/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government published the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance in April. This set out the Government's proposals for a universal, single-tier health service for Ireland. A public consultation on the White Paper was undertaken and I have recently received the report of the independent thematic analysis of the submissions on the proposals. My Department has also initiated a major costing exercise for UHI, led by the ESRI. I expect to have initial costings by the end of the first quarter of 2015.
When I became Minister for Health I reviewed our progress to date and the timescales for implementing very important reforms, including UHI. I came to the conclusion that the target date of 2019 for full implementation of UHI may be too ambitious. In this context I have decided to postpone, for the moment, establishing an Expert Commission on the basket of services. However, I want to emphasise my commitment to pressing ahead with reforms such as free GP care, establishment of hospital groups and implementation of Money Follows the Patient - all of which are important building blocks for a universal health care system. When I receive the results of the ESRI costing exercise next year I will be in a position to set out in more detail the next steps on the road to universal health care.
