Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1980 > Committee on Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies > Report No. 09 - Voluntary Health Insurance Board

APPENDIX 10

MEMORANDUM FROM THE MEDICAL UNION

1. The Voluntary Health Insurance Board fulfils a vital role in the provision of payments for Medical services. Since the establishment of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board in 1957, there has been a regular increase in the number of persons who are insured by the Board. As the cost of providing Hospital Treatment increases, the Board ensures by its schemes that Medical care is available at a reasonable cost to its members. The Board plays a major role in maintaining private practice as a right of patients.

2. The Medical profession together with other groups was instrumental in having the Voluntary Health Insurance Schemes established. The officers of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board and the profession have co-operated in developing the number of services provided under the schemes.

3. The administration of the Board is excellent with approximately 8% of total income being used for administration purposes. Recent changes in the scope of the schemes have added to the number of services provided through its various schemes by the Board. At present, contracts exist between the patient and the Voluntary Health Insurance Board, and doctors would prefer if payments were made directly to them by the Board rather than indirectly through the patient. This would eliminate any possibility of doctors not being paid for services by patients.

4. Until recently, the Board has not attempted to increase its membership through advertising campaigns. This is apparently being rectified at present. The Board should see if it can play any part in the field of preventative medicine. This area appears to have been neglected in the past and as the Board is very firmly established, it should broaden its horizons to encompass and to sponsor projects in the area of preventative medicine.

12 November 1979