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’s budget plan "doesn’t add up" and risks a series of promised reforms not happening next year, a leading economist has warned.

Health insurance companies have warned of further premium hikes unless the Government amends plans to introduce controversial charges for private patients in public hospitals from January.

Consumers with the most basic levels of private health insurance face further reductions in cover if they are to avoid the knock-on effect of an imminent €65 hike in the government health levy.

As private health insurers ring in the new year with a series of premium hikes, customers can expect further hardship in 2013 under government plans to charge insurers for private patients who use public hospital beds.

Health Minister James Reilly says he is aware of concerns about VHI insurance premiums skyrocketing if new charges are introduced.

A drop in visits to GPs and private clinics and a return to almost pre-boom take-up of private health insurance are among the stark findings of a new report looking at the nation’s health.

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.

James Reilly’s plans for reform of the health service could see the cost of providing universal healthcare in Ireland rise by up to 50% within five years, an economist has warned.

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.

The new Cork Literary Review will be promoted across America this week, writes Colette Sheridan

THE “squeezed middle” of Irish society may be forced to pay more towards the healthcare system than currently under the Government’s universal health insurance plan.

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.

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.

Health insurance premiums could rise by around 4%.

THE Government’s decision to sell the VHI and introduce a new risk equalisation scheme will not stop the surge in the cost of health insurance, an economics expert has warned.

THE state could find itself in even more financial turmoil if it is unable to sell VHI in the already volatile insurance market.

Irish driver, Keith Dempsey won the seventh round of the British Formula Renault Championship at Snetterton.