Call for VHI 8.5% increase to be rejected

MANY families will pay more than €1,800 a year for medical cover after the VHI announced an inflation-busting 8.5% hike from September.

The rise of €141.10 a year for popular family plan B policy comes despite inflation averaging 4.9% and VHI’s profits of €70.3 million for the year to February.

Yesterday, consumer watchdogs urged Health Minister Mary Harney to reject the rise while VHI’s rivals urged customers to shop around for a better deal.