Why insurance row will do nothing for the patient

THE spat between BUPA and VHI over risk equalisation is a storm in a teacup. It will not have any affect on patient care.

Meanwhile, our public hospitals are obliged to continue subsidising both the health insurance companies and the private hospitals.

Let me explain. Half of our citizens have chosen to buy private health insurance, even though we all have a statutory entitlement to care in a public hospital. Maybe they believe they will be treated better and more quickly in a private hospital.