Sláintecare reforms linked to rising health insurance costs

Kenneth Fox

Sláintecare reforms are being linked to rising health insurance costs.

With more consultants moving to public-only contracts, fewer insured patients are treated in public hospitals.

Insurers are relying more on private hospitals, where charges have gone up.

VHI, Laya and Irish Life have all announced second premium hikes this year, with some customers facing increases of up to €700.

Both the Department of Health and the HSE are working together to deliver the Sláintecare vision to put people at the centre of the health system.

They are working towards universal healthcare for all as Sláintecare reform is hoping to create a health and social care service where people can access the right services, closer to home, and based on need and not ability to pay.

They said these reforms aims to forge the way towards accessible, affordable, high-quality, healthcare for the people of Ireland when they need it, where they need it.

Improving access to healthcare services and social care services, improving service quality for patients and service users and increasing capacity of the health and social care system is the priority of Sláintecare 2025+, underpinned by a range of enabling reforms.

They said the overriding goal of Sláintecare 2025+ is to improve health and social care services in Ireland, to optimise patient outcomes and be responsive to their needs.