If the Government believed it could spin the scrapping of universal health insurance (UHI) as anything but an embarrassing and damaging U-turn, in the Dáil yesterday it was told in no uncertain terms the PR strategy had failed.

Experts warned against it and the opposition predicted that universal health insurance (UHI) would never get off the ground.

Despite being a key tenet of the programme for government, there is still no sign of universal health insurance, writes Brian Turner

Health Minister Leo Varadkar is to bring a memo to cabinet today ruling out the original Universal Health Insurance model.

On the basis of the abysmal failure to radically reform our health service, as so faithfully promised in 2011, Fine Gael deserve not to be re-elected to Government, says Alison O’Connor.

The impact of austerity cuts and the State’s contractually driven approach to the healthcare professions must change if hoped-for improvements are to be realised, writes Ray Kinsella

People Before Profit has accused Health Minister Leo Varadkar of acting like a “tout” for the private health insurance industry.

Slap, bang, wallop — what a Fota farce.

Leo Varadkar has done the impossible — he has brought hope that our battered and broken health system can be fixed writes Alison O’Connor

Varadkar admits the cost to families was a consideration in decision to delay implementation of the plan

JAMES REILLY’S ultimate health service goal — at least in his own eyes — was reform, but his replacement Leo Varadkar has started with a far simpler target: realism.

An Independent Dutch MEP is in Dublin this morning to warn Ireland of the consequences associated with Universal Health Insurance.

Fears that the Government plan to introduce universal health insurance (UHI) is unworkable and based on a “utopian concept” which would be impossible to implement were raised by doctors at the weekend.

Health Minister James Reilly paints a rosy picture of the future of Irish healthcare (‘The Health Service Needs to Change and Now Is the Time’, Irish Examiner, April 10). It is interesting that his missive is juxtaposed with an article by Chris Goodey, who warns loudly of the crisis in general practice.

IN his recent thoughtful article on Universal Health Insurance published in the Irish Examiner, Ray Kinsella acknowledges that the Department of Health has “undertaken a huge volume of preparatory work” to underpin the introduction of UHI.

There is no coherent strategy for universal health insurance, there is no Government consensus, and, in light of swingeing health cuts, any commitment seems disingenuous, says Ray Kinsella.

Minister James Reilly will update the Dail's Health Committee this morning on issues including Universal Health Insurance proposals and the Ambulance Service.

Taxpayers could face a double charge for healthcare when universal health insurance is introduced amid uncertainty about how the new model will be funded.

Health Minister Dr James Reilly has claimed everyone will be a winner as a result of his universal health insurance plan, but has failed to reveal exactly how much it will cost the public.

Enda Kenny celebrated his third anniversary in power by slipping on jackboots and giving democracy a good kicking.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has downplayed a rift at Cabinet over the cost of proposals for Universal Health Insurance.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted Ireland can afford Universal Health Insurance (UHI) and it will be delivered during the lifetime of the Government despite disagreement among ministers as to how the scheme will work.

Delegates at the Fine Gael Árd Fheis have asked the Minister for Health James Reilly to explore banning the sale of cigarettes in pubs.

Minister for Health James Reilly’s proposal for universal health insurance came as quite a surprise to me.

A trade union representing 30,000 health workers has warned the Government’s proposed health insurance system will a place a “universal financial burden on families with no guarantee of universal access to healthcare”.

People who do not buy basic health insurance in the future could have the cost taken from their wages or benefits.

A fresh coalition row is emerging over Health Minister Dr James Reilly’s universal health insurance plan, after a Labour minister said the policy is “not very detailed” and may need to be re-examined.

It’s hard to get enthused about proposed health reform at a time when the Government is busy picking apart the very structure that, less than a decade ago, was supposed to “change forever the landscape of the Irish Health Service”, according to then minister Micheál Martin.

The IMPACT trade union is criticising the Government's plans for Universal Health Insurance.

IRISH citizens generally know as little about the Programme for Government as Catholics do about the Bible.

The Government has approved the drafting of new laws replacing the HSE with a new seven-part system.

BENEATH the radar of tumultuous politics, Dr James Reilly ascended the greasy pole. Elected at his initial attempt in Dublin North, his rise through the ranks has been utterly remarkable.

THE Government plans to scrap private health insurance and the Health Service Executive (HSE) under a new healthcare model where those who can pay will, and those who can’t will be paid for by the Exchequer.

DESPITE a quadrupling of our health budget since 1997, Ireland is ranked 15th among European nations for the quality of its healthcare, and 24th in value terms.

The leaders of the main political parties have taken to the roads for the first full day of campaigning in Election 2011.

EVERYONE in Ireland should have a unique patient identification number so they get the safest health care possible, the State’s health services watchdog has urged.