Nearly 30,000 drop health insurance in past year

Almost 30,000 people have dropped in-patient health insurance over the last 12 months.

Figures released by the Health Insurance Authority show over 2,018,000 people have policies.

The market peaked at almost 2.3 million policies at the end of 2008.

In addition to the in-patient policies, over 100,000 people have insurance which provides out-patient benefits or health insurance cash plans.

The Government have announced plans for universal health insurance, part of which will see "loading fees" applied to those seeking first-time cover in their 30s, or those who have had a long gap in coverage.