Unions and employers say healthcare premiums could rise by €200 next year because of changes in long-term care funding.

They’ve written to health minister Edith Schippers warning her of the implications of government policy which includes shifting long-term care from a separate fund to the general health insurance system.

The health ministry said in a statement it is currently investigating the likely impact of the change on next year’s premiums. ‘Premiums are dependent on many factors,’ a spokesman told Nos television.

The change still has to be passed by both houses of parliament and there are doubts if the cabinet will win majority support in the upper house of parliament.