VHI rise needed to 'ensure quality'

The VHI says the 8.5% price increase it is seeking to impose in the coming weeks is necessary to provide quality services to its members.

The health insurer has requested the increase despite enjoying a €70m surplus over the past year.

Its premiums have already increased by 28% in the past three years.

However, it says it needs to increase them further this year to ensure its members can access new treatments.

Chief executive Vincent Sheridan says: "There's absolutely no point in saying we've kept your premiums low, but unfortunately that new cancer drug or that new cardiac prosthesis or that new diagnostic procedure isn't available to you because we can't afford it."