Price hike may force patients to forgo insurance

Claire O’Sullivan

The Irish Patients Association (IPA) has warned that the 12.5% premium increase sought by insurers VHI could cause financial difficulties for people already struggling to make insurance payments. Ms Harney is widely expected to sanction the increase.

“Old people especially may be on a fixed pension and can’t absorb these increases. It is not fair as it may deter them from continuing on with their policies,” said IPA chairman Stephen McMahon.