Collins condemns another health-insurance price hike as middle-income families pay twice over

Collins condemns another health-insurance price hike as middle-income families pay twice over

Independent Ireland Leader TD Michael Collins has sharply criticised the private health insurance industry and the Government after it emerged that patients paying thousands in premiums are still facing months-long delays for urgent treatment. today expressed deep frustration. Speaking after the news that there will be a 4.5 per cent average increase in health-insurance premiums announced by Laya Healthcare, set to take effect from 1 October 2025

This follows earlier hikes of 6.6 per cent in April 2025, and a 6.5 per cent increase in October 2024, leaving many families enduring repeated annual rises 

Deputy Collins commented:

“Once again, ordinary families—particularly those in what’s often called the squeezed middle—are being forced to bear the burden of repeated health-insurance increases. These double-digit annual hikes are pushing vital care ever further out of reach.”

“While some policyholders might see small reductions under specific plans, these offered respites don’t change the broader trend. It’s galling that customers paying full premiums still endure months-long waiting lists, sometimes lacking coverage for urgent treatment like cancer care—forcing them to travel north for care and pay privately because the waiting lists in the Republic are now impacting not just those reliant on public healthcare but the private system as well.”

Deputy Collins cited the case of a man who was paying for a premium-level policy, only to discover that his cancer treatment was excluded. 

“It took me to intervene directly and raise the issue in the Dail to ensure the company honoured its commitment and gave this man the care he was entitled to. Thankfully, they eventually honoured the policy. But it should not take political pressure for patients to get what they have already paid for.”

“Insurance companies must clearly communicate exactly what is and isn’t covered. It should never take political representation to ensure someone receives the treatment they’ve paid for. I urge all policyholders: review your policy details before renewing or agreeing to new price increases.”

He accused the Government of presiding over the "terminal decline" of our health-care system:

Deputy Collins said it was unacceptable that some patients are now being forced to travel to Northern Ireland for life-saving procedures because the Irish system cannot meet their needs.

Collins also laid responsibility squarely at the Government’s door, accusing ministers of presiding over the “terminal decline” of the healthcare system.

“We are now at a point where not only those who cannot afford insurance, but also the so-called squeezed middle who pay dearly for it, are being subjected to the same long, unsustainable waiting lists,” he said.

“This is a damning reflection of a Government that has allowed our health service to slide into crisis. It is simply not good enough, and people in every county are paying the price for that neglect.”