VHI will need new laws ‘to keep it in business’

THE next Government faces a massive headache drawing up complex legislation to keep health insurer VHI in business through some form of compensation for treating older private health customers.

The head of the Department of Health warned yesterday that VHI would be unable to continue without new laws, despite the insurer next week hiking charges by as much as 45%.

Secretary-general of the department Michael Scanlon admitted to TDs: “They absolutely have to have something in place by the end of the year. This will require new legislation for the new government.”