VHI to be quizzed by Oireachtas committee

The VHI will come under pressure today to freeze its prices while a value-for-money audit is carried out.

The State health insurers are due to appear before an Oireachtas Committee on Health to explain why it's increasing its premiums by 9%.

The company says it needs the extra cash to ensure access for its 1.5 million customers to the latest medical technology and treatments, and to cover inflation costs.

The Oireachtas committee is to ask VHI bosses to justify the increases later today. However, according to the Department of Health, the 9% rise has already been approved.