Opposition claims hike in premiums ‘inevitable’

HEALTH insurance premiums should not increase following the proposed privatisation of VHI, the Government insisted last night.

Opposition parties dismissed the claim as “wishful thinking”, however, as they said extra price hikes would be inevitable as a result of such a radical shake-up of the market.

Health Minister Mary Harney insisted that older customers faced seeing their payments treble unless action was taken now to sell off the VHI and bring in new risk equalisation measures so competitors help pay for elderly care.