Harney dismisses claims that VHI could go out of business
26/07/2005 - 13:58:57Minister for Health Mary Harney has dismissed claims by the VHI that it could go out of business because of her decision not to introduce risk equalisation in the health insurance market.
Under the scheme, the company's rivals would have to make payments to the VHI because of the fact that the latter has an older and less lucrative membership.
The VHI has claimed that the decision not to implement the scheme threatens its future, but Ms Harney said today that she did not accept this as the company had a huge share of the Irish market.
She also said the State health insurer's membership had increased since commercial competitors Bupa and Vivas entered the market.
