Charges set to increase for private patients in public hospitals

The Government is to introduce new legislation next year to allow public hospitals to raise charges for private patients in public hospitals, it was announced today.

“Under existing legislation, public hospitals can not charge private patients who occupy public beds, said a statement from the office of Minister for Health Dr James Reilly.

“This represents a loss of income to the public hospital system and provides a significant subsidy to private insurance companies.

“It is intended to introduce new legislation next year to allow public hospitals to raise charges in respect of all private patients in public hospitals.”

The Minister acknowledged that the new regime would have a "significant impact" on private health insurance premiums but pointed out that the new arrangements would provide much needed extra income for the public hospitals.

“The new system is fairer and entirely in keeping with the charges required along the road to universal health insurance,” said the Minister.

“Removing this subsidy to private patients will help to protect services for public patients.”

However the move was criticised by Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Billy Kelleher.

“The Government’s proposed legislation on the public-private mix in hospitals will result in more public patients being forced to wait longer and will incentivise management to treat more private patients," Deputy Kelleher said.

"It will enhance the two-tier system in the health service and will also drive up health insurance costs for those who can still afford it."

Deputy Kelleher added that frontline health services would inevitably suffer from the €543 in cuts to the health budget announced today.

"Minister Reilly needs to come clean and spell out the impact this will have on waiting lists and the number of patients being treated in our hospitals," he said.

Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the combined cuts would "devastate the health services".

“Our hospitals and other services are under enormous pressure and these further attacks will deepen the crisis," Deputy Ó Caoláin commented.