‘Vicious circle’ of health cost hikes blamed on State

Private health insurers have accused the Government of “perpetuating a vicious circle of rising premiums” for holders of private health insurance following the latest hike to the health levy.

Yesterday, Jim Dowdall, Glohealth chief executive, said it was “farcical, bizarre, and absurd” that Health Minister James Reilly was continually calling on health insurers to drive down costs “when government policies have been the overwhelming driver of rising premiums in recent years”.

The decision to hike the health levy will push it up from €350 to €399 per adult, representing a total increase of 149% since its introduction at €160 in 2009. The cost per child is also set to increase to €135, representing a hike of 155% since its introduction.