EU examines legality of State plan for health insurance

BRUSSELS is examining claims that Government plans to prevent private health insurance firms poaching younger customers are illegal under EU law.

The plan, known as risk equalisation, would see private insurers BUPA pay millions to the VHI which has a greater proportion of older members.

These measures are designed to ensure the community rating system, which allows members of the public pay the same for health insurance regardless of their age, is maintained in the industry.