A chara, - Mr. William Leap (February 16th) has obviously researched the problem of insuring the over 65s in some detail. However, he has failed to mention the most important feature of health insurance on this country i.e. community rating, and the obvious reason why any insurance company in this field would not want to touch any applicant over 65.
I have been a member of VHI for the past 35 years in order to protect my family and myself from unforeseen medical bills, and the system has worked very well for us. Regardless of my age the annual premia have been the same as every other member in the scheme, and this is a good social method of spreading the risk for all.
Why, then, should someone arrive into the scheme at age 65, or even 55, and expect to cherrypick the benefits at no extra cost to those who have been supporting whichever scheme all their lives? Is this another instance of the "me fein" Celtic Tiger syndrome? - Le meas.
Seoirse DASON, Redgate, Limerick.