Fine Gael vows to abolish two-tier health system

FINE Gael has pledged to abolish the two-tier health system by introducing mandatory health insurance for everybody — but admits the move would take five years to achieve.

Under the proposed system, each citizen would be obliged to buy an insurance policy that would provide a standard healthcare package. This would include free GP visits and medication.

Insurers would have to offer this package at the same cost to all citizens, although persons could buy additional cover for non-essential treatment such as cosmetic surgery if they wished.