Private health cover up 63% since ’99

THE cost of private health insurance will have rocketed by more than 63% over the past seven years when the latest VHI premium increase kicks in next month, a healthcare and risk consultant revealed yesterday.

The Labour Party warns that this means thousands will be squeezed out of the private health insurance market and lose access to immediate hospital diagnosis and treatment.

The latest 12.5% VHI price increase sanctioned by Health Minister Mary Harney will take effect from September 1.