Madam, - As a Bupa customer I am intrigued that Mr Vincent Sheridan, chief executive of VHI healthcare, warns us to beware the "myths and misinformation about risk equalisation" while spinning quite a few myths and half-truths himself (Opinion & Analysis, January 17th).
"Risk equalisation does not represent a subsidy from one insurer to another" and VHI Healthcare's large market share is irrelevant, he insists. Surely it defies common sense that a minor player in the market should be forced to make large financial transfers to the dominant one. Do economies of scale have no relevance in the equation?
"Community rating without risk equalisation provides a huge incentive for insurers to target younger members," Mr Sheridan asserts. I can only cite my own experience: three years ago my wife and I - one of us now just under 70 and the other just over - switched to Bupa without any medical test or intrusive questions whatsoever.
Perhaps Mr Sheridan can explain in what ways Bupa "targets younger members". Furthermore, can he tell us what percentage of each insurer's members is, say, under 55? Finally, if risk equalisation is as fair, logical, inevitable and "the opposite of anti-competitive", as Mr Sheridan claims, why have other health insurers shown a marked reluctance to enter the Irish market? - Yours, etc,
KEN STANLEY, Marshalstown, Castledermot, Co Kildare.
Madam, - As a male under the age of 30, I would like to know when the Government intends to introduce risk equalisation in motor insurance. - Yours, etc,
RICHARD BANNISTER, Pembroke Square, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.