Harney may seek emergency hearing on BUPA injunction

The Minister for Health Mary Harney is considering seeking an emergency High Court hearing to overturn an interim injunction granted to health insurer BUPA yesterday, preventing her from introducing risk equalisation to the Irish health insurance market.

The health insurance provider went straight to court after the Minister made the announcement, which could mean BUPA would have to pay up to €33m a year to its main competitor VHI, because it has an older customer base.