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1957
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All but top 15 per cent of earners have public entitlement to free care in public hospitals
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VHI Board established to cater for top 15 per cent of earners
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1970
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GMS established, those below income threshold entitled to free GP and prescription medicines
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1979
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Universal eligibility for free public hospital care enacted
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1980
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Percentage insured reaches 25 per cent
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1987
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Statutory charges for hospital care introduced for those above income threshold
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1991
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Universal eligibility for specialist services (subject to charges)
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1992
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EU Third Non-Life Insurance Directive
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1994
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Health Insurance Act opens up health insurance market to competition
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Health Insurance Regulations provide for risk equalization, lifetime cover, minimum benefits
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1997
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BUPA (Ireland) enters market
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1999
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White Paper on Private Health Insurance
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2001
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Publication of Quality and Fairness Health Strategy
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Establishment of Health Insurance Authority
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2004
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Vivas enters market
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2005
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Health Insurance Authority recommends risk equalization payments begin (June); Minister accepts recommendation (December)
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2006
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Legal challenge to risk equalization by BUPA; percentage insured c. 50 per cent
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