Health min. defends own risk insurance costs

Minister Edith Schippers of Public Health believes the own risk healthcare deductibles of at least 385 euros per year are "quite justifiable", she said in NRC on Monday. According to her, parties speaking out against the deductibles are "not giving a fair representation of the situation." A number of parties want to get rid of the health insurance deductibles. GroenLinks, PVV, SP and 50Plus all have it in their election programs. SP leader Emile Roemer plans to submit a proposal this week to sharply decrease the deductibles next year. Public Health State Secretary Martin van Rijn stated that the own risk needs to be "seriously" reconsidered as the deductible should never be an obstacle for people in need of healthcare. But according to Schippers, this is not a fair representation of the situation. If the deductible is eliminated, health insurance premiums will increase 284 euros per year, she said to NRC. Getting rid of the deductibles will cost 3.9 billion euros.