Madam, - Dr Ruairi Hanley (January 4th) writes of his "disbelief" at the "bizarre action" of the Minister for Health in triggering risk equalisation in health insurance.
He finds it "truly incredible that this decision has been made by the leader of the Progressive Democrats". He makes no mention of the fundamental issue - the desirability of protecting the established community rating system of inter-generational support in private health insurance.
Ms Harney would alienate a large portion of potential PD voters if she was in any way associated with a failure to support the present system.
This alienation would not be short-term but would increase yearly as older voters would find their health insurance bills increasing in leaps and bounds with increasing age. They would justifiably feel cheated that, having supported community rating in their younger and lower-risk years, they would not be reaping the benefits in later life. Many would be forced to abandon private health cover, particularly as they retired.
In the circumstances Ms Harney's action is hardly "bizarre" or "incredible". - Yours, etc,
Dr TOM HOGAN, College Grove, Dublin 15.