Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Ceisteanna (1355)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

1355. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to commitments given by his predecessor to Dáil Éireann on 10 December 2019 on Report Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2019, if he will outline the engagement to date between his Department and Health Insurance Authority on the exclusion of coverage of level 2 hospitals by an insurance provider; his plans to review those regulations in respect to the exclusion of level 2 hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42520/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) has carried out two reviews of the Minimum Benefit Regulations in recent years, first in 2010 and then in 2016. Following Minister Harris' commitment to review the regulations on foot of the Deputy's query in 2019, Department officials contacted the HIA in respect of the clause pertaining to coverage of public hospitals. The HIA advised that their reviews included consideration of this issue and they are satisfied that there should be no change to this provision of the regulations. This position has become more relevant with the introduction of Sláintecare which aims to exclude all private practice from public hospitals. These matters are being kept under review by the HIA and Department officials on an ongoing basis and in line with government policy on healthcare and health insurance.