Health insurance move fails to tackle 'crisis of affordability'

Concerns are being expressed about the Government's plan to make people aged over 35 pay more for health insurance when they take it out for the first time.

Health insurance move fails to tackle 'crisis of affordability'

Concerns are being expressed about the Government's plan to make people aged over 35 pay more for health insurance when they take it out for the first time.

A 2% penalty will be added to premiums for each year over that age, in an effort to get younger people back into the market.

The last six years have seen more than 250,000 people drop their health insurance policy.

Health Economist Ray Kinsella says people will have an incentive to join early, and it will also encourage those considering giving up their insurance, to keep it on.

However he thinks it won't address one serious point, saying: "The big issue for me is the fact that the real problem is the crisis of affordability.

"The minister has introduced this to, as he says, make the market more sustainable but the real problems have to do with affordability, and this measure does not begin to address the affordability issue."

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Irish homelessness Government criticised for missing social and affordable housing targets
National Risk Assessment for Ireland Tánaiste urges Israel ‘to show humanity’ and allow more aid into Gaza
Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited