Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has predicted it will take three to five years to reform public health services sufficiently to negate the need for private health insurance.
As the Irish Examiner reports, sweeping reforms are planned in the coming years to make healthcare free based on need.
However, with almost half the population relying on insurance to avoid waiting lists, according to the ESRI, there is a long way to go.
Mr Donnelly said reforms are needed to offer patients accessibility, meaning an end to spiralling waiting lists; affordability, meaning reducing costs such as prescription charges; and quality, meaning improved standards in treatment.
For many people, affordability also means the promise of getting treated without relying on expensive health insurance.
Mr Donnelly said many changes need to happen under Sláintecare before insurance fades away here.
Read the full report here.
