‘Current Topics’

Free GP care for persons with defined long-term illnesses

The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all.  As part of this reform programme the Government is committed to introducing Universal Primary Care within the first term of office of this Government.

Initially it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to persons with defined long-term illnesses who are in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme.  Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment.  Once primary legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, the details of the new arrangements will be announced.

Health Conference (Health Service Reform – the Government’s First Year: What Progress)

The conference was hosted by TASC, the Adelaide Hospital Society and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, and the full programme is available for download here.

• Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, opened the conference (click here for video).  TASC Director Nat O’Connor’s welcoming remarks can be watched here.
• Roísín Shortall TD, Minister of State for Primary Care, gave a presentation on ‘Putting Primary Care Centre Stage’ (click here for video)..  view Minister Shortall Presentation (word document) Reform of Primary Care – Minister Shortall presentation
• In the afternoon Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and TASC’s Sinéad Pentony, in a session entitled ‘Addressing Public Health’, looked at the proposed policy framework for a healthier Ireland 2012-2020.  Dr Holohan’s presentation is available here (video here), and you can click here to download the presentation by TASC Head of Policy Sinéad Pentony (video here).
• The closing keynote address was given by Dr Kieke Okma, Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Policy Management at the Wagner School of Public Services, New York University.  Dr Okma spoke on ‘Drawing International Lessons’, and a video of her address and the ensuing discussion can be viewed here.

Further information is available on the TASC website

Information above is reproduced with kind permission from TASC

Consultative Forum on Health Insurance – Risk Equalisation Scheme

The Consultative Forum on Health Insurance met on Tuesday 21st February and had a very useful discussion.  The Forum received a briefing from Department officials on the Risk Equalisation Scheme that will apply from next January, and from the Chief Executive of the Health Insurance Authority on aspects of the interim RE scheme that is in operation for the current year.  Read the rest of this entry »