Changes to medical card system insufficient

22 Nov 2004

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed is critical of the extension of the medical card to only 30,000 people as it falls far short of the Government’s election promise to extend the coverage to a further 200,000 people. The numbers currently covered by a medical card are at the lowest since it was introduced.

Admittedly the new GP only medical card for 200,000 people is a step in the right direction in recognition that for many on low incomes the cost of GP visits are frequently a deterrent to seeking help. However it does not cover prescription costs and the limit that an individual has to pay under the Drug Payment Scheme has increased to €85 per month.

‘Also while we welcome that the income guidelines for the medical card will increase by 7.5% there is the danger that increases given to social welfare recipients on Budget day will again mean they are exempt from holding a medical card’, said June Tinsley, Policy Officer INOU. ‘There is a strong correlation between poverty, ill health and living on social welfare payments. Therefore there must be a guarantee that the income guidelines will keep pace with social welfare increases.