Families face €3k universal health cover bill

Thousands of middle- income families without health insurance cover could be hit with an extra €3,000 average annual bill as part of the Government’s plans to create a single-tier, equal access health service.

As part of Health Minister James Reilly’s universal health insurance scheme, cover will be compulsory for everyone from 2019, with the State paying or subsidising the cost for medical card holders, the unemployed and low earners just above the bracket.

During a two-hour briefing yesterday the minister repeatedly failed to clarify how much the initiative will cost the public or the State, other than to insist the price of the “win-win” plan will not exceed today’s €920 average health cover and will be significantly subsidised.