Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-11-15-Speech-3-159"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2000-11-15"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Supplementary health insurance2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20001115.6.3-159"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2000-11-15-Speech-3-1602
lpv:speaker	lp:Roger Helmer2
lpv:spoken text	"Mr President, the original draft of Mr Rocard's report contained proposals which could have destroyed the health insurance market in Europe. It is fundamental to the insurance business that premiums are related to predictable risks. This applies in all kinds of insurance including life, car and home protection insurance. If the original proposals had been carried to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of medical history, then premiums would have been attractive to the chronically sick and unattractive to the fit and healthy. As a result it would have been predominantly the chronically sick who would buy insurance. This in turn would have created a vicious circle of higher and higher premiums and fewer and sicker policyholders. It could have destroyed the industry and put new burdens on state systems. It is a classic example of socialist interventionism. By trying to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of health status, Mr Rocard would have killed the goose that laid the golden egg. I am reminded of the story of the representative of the government who went to a businessman and said "how can the government help you?" and the answer was "you can help us best by leaving us alone." When will we learn that lesson? Of course, we should promote a vigorous and vibrant market for health insurance in Europe. We must also support state provision, at least for those with difficult health problems who would be uninsurable in the private sector. The best way to achieve these objectives is for the state to leave the private sector to get on with its job. The new proposal before us is for a Green Paper. This is better than the original proposal but even this is a step too far. Today's Green Paper becomes tomorrow's intrusive and damaging legislation. The best way we can help this industry, and the patients it serves, is to leave it alone."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	member; Delegation for relations with the Member States of ASEAN, South-east Asia and the Republic of Korea (1999-10-06--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Conservative and Unionist Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy (1999-07-21--2001-01-16)3 member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; EMPL (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Helmer (PPE-DE )."1

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