Introducing last-minute Government levies on health insurers is forcing younger, healthier people out of the health insurance market and increasing costs to older, sicker consumers, a forum on health reform heard yesterday.

THE Government has committed itself to a radical overhaul of healthcare, with the elimination of the existing two-tier health system, the introduction of free GP care for all, and universal health insurance.

IRELAND will need at least an extra 1,000 GPs to facilitate Government plans to overhaul the health service, a major conference on health reform heard yesterday.

UNIVERSAL health insurance has moved a step closer after the Government confirmed it has agreed to establish a group to implement the measure.

THE Labour Party proposals for reform of the health system were released yesterday and reaffirm the party’s long-standing commitment to universal health insurance.