Higher charges for private beds set to push up insurance premiums

PATIENTS face increased charges for private beds in public hospitals and a likely hike in private health insurance premiums as a result of measures contained in the national recovery plan.

A €1.4 billion cut in the health budget between now and 2014 will include savings of approximately €750 million in 2011 including:

* €444m in procurement [buying of goods and services by the Health Service Executive (HSE)] and demand-led schemes such as the medical card scheme and the drug refund scheme