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Written question asked by Viscount Simon (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Thornton (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 February 2010.


Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 28 January (WA 367), what action they have taken arising from the letter sent by the Macfarlane Trust.
Answer

The letter from the Macfarlane Trust suggested that comments I made during the second reading debate of the Contaminated Blood (Support for Infected Persons) Bill on 11 December 2009, were incorrect and that the Official Record should be corrected. I responded to the Macfarlane Trust on 5 February 2010, stating that my comments about insurance were based on advice that the Department of Health has received from the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The ABI stated that the general principle of insurance is that for voluntary insurance products, insurers must be able to offer terms that reflect the risk that an individual brings to the risk pool depending on, for example, the person's occupation, medical history and lifestyle. Depending upon the level of risk that an individual brings to the risk pool, the possible outcomes for someone applying for insurance could be: standard terms and conditions; or no cover offered due to an unacceptable level of risk; or a higher premium due to increased mortality or morbidity; and/or partial cover due to increased mortality or morbidity. This is consistent with my statement that in all cases, a person's insurability and the level of premiums are determined by the assessment of their individual risk. It is therefore not appropriate to amend the Official Report. Recognition of the higher cost of insurance premiums was one of the factors taken into account in making the extra payments to those infected with HIV.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1845; 717 c149WA
Session
2009-10
Related items
Health: Contaminated Blood Products
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Compensation Contamination Blood Insurance HIV/AIDS Haemophilia Macfarlane Trust
Legislation
Contaminated Blood (Support for Infected and Bereaved Persons) Bill (HL) 2009-10
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk