€150 million outstanding to be collected from private health insurers by year end - Conway
30 November 2012
Statement by Ciara Conway TD
Labour T.D. for Waterford, Ciara Conway, has received assurances from the Minister for Health, James Reilly, that the €150 million which is owed to the HSE as a result of private patients being treated in public beds, will be collected from private health insurers by the end of the year.
"The issue of how much funding is owed as a result of private patients being treated in public hospitals is something I've been pursuing for some time now, so I am pleased to note that progress is being made.
"As we're all too well aware, there's a significant deficit within the health budget, so we need to make sure that every avenue for income is looked at.
"In recent meetings of the Health Committee, I was informed that, as of the end of September 2012, €204 million was outstanding to the HSE as a result of private patients being treated in public beds.
"However, yesterday I questioned Minister Reilly on this, and was informed that moves are well underway to collect money owed. He has informed me that a sum of €150 million will be collected from the private health insurers by the end of the year.
"I welcome this news - these fees are badly needed and can be put to good use elsewhere within our health system."
