Universal Health Insurance still important part of government policy says James Reilly

Former health minister Dr James Reilly has insisted the Government is continuing to stand by his failed universal health insurance policy.

He rejected claims the Coalition had performed an embarrassing U-turn on the plan.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Leo Varadkar told the Cabinet the Government should scrap the existing UHI plan as it would cost too much, while any alternative would not be implemented for up to a decade at best.