The independent hospitals have written to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment asking him to refer "anti competitive actions" by the VHI to the Competition Authority. This is part of an ongoing dispute between the private hospitals and the VHI over their budget for the coming year, and VHI cover for their patients.
In his letter, the chief executive of the Independent Hospitals' Association of Ireland wrote "VHI threatened each hospital with partially participating status should the hospitals not conclude agreements with the VHI for the current year.
"We believe that, in its present actions, VHI, as a monopoly supplier of health insurance in Ireland, is abusing its dominant position."