Progress on new law to remove insurance barriers for cancer survivors – Ó Muirí

Legislation to make it easier for cancer survivors to obtain insurance is to be brought forward before Summer, a Fine Gael TD has outlined.

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí received confirmation from Tánaiste Simon Harris this week that final proposals on the “Right to be Forgotten” legislation will be brought before Cabinet for final sign-off in the coming weeks, and that the proposals being introduced will ensure fairer access to mortgage protection insurance for cancer survivors and their families.

Deputy Ó Muirí explained: “This Bill will ensure that cancer survivors will not have to disclose certain aspects of their medical history when applying for mortgage protection insurance after five years. It will also provide for an increase to the sum assured threshold to €650,000.

“This is a crucial step for survivors. A cancer diagnosis should not be a barrier for a person’s whole life. It is not acceptable that cancer survivors have been effectively shut out from owning their own home within a system that failed to recognise their recovery.

“The Department of Finance outlined that they expect a growing cohort of people will benefit from this change as cancer care improves and people live longer, healthier lives.

“This is a compassionate and fair change. It is wholly unfair that a person who has faced serious illness and made a full recovery after an often gruelling treatment plan should then be discriminated against on the basis of their illness.

“This legislation will provide enormous comfort to those who have recovered, ensuring their ability to buy or fully own a home is not dictated by their medical history,” concluded Deputy Ó Muirí.