82,000 forced to cancel health cover

MORE than 14,000 people have been forced to cancel their inpatient hospital health insurance cover in the first three months of this year as the economic crisis tightens its grip.

Since the recession began, 82,000 people have had to make the same difficult decision.

Figures from independent watchdog the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) show people are continuing to quit the market in droves — putting yet more pressure on public health services.