A hefty hike in health insurance

A chara, – The new year dawns. The troika has left town. Yet my health insurance annual premium (for spouse and self) has gone up by €807, a jump of 24 per cent. The Government is directly responsible for the greater part of this – its budget decision to reduce tax relief on premiums accounts for 55.3 per cent of the total increase.

These staggering rises come at a time when we’ve been hearing about big top-ups for high-earners in the health sector, but perish the thought that there could be any correlation.

No doubt all will be solved when the Government’s universal health insurance policy is finally implemented. I, for one, can’t wait. – Is mise,

JOHN GLENNON,

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Bannagroe,

Hollywood,

Co Wicklow.