Rapid conclusion must be brought to medical card debate say Greens
Following a meeting of the Green Party Parliamentary Party today, Green Party spokesperson on Health, Deirdre de Burca said: “The party is critical of the way in which changes to the over 70s medical card system were planned and communicated. This has caused unnecessary distress and confusion amongst our older people and their families. We are working hard to bring about a rapid and satisfactory conclusion to this unfortunate situation.
“The Green Party wants to ensure that the vast majority of people over 70 retain their medical cards. We are working with our coalition partners to arrive at a Government decision that will facilitate this outcome.
“We are investigating possibilities for allowing existing older medical card holders to maintain full coverage. In addition, we believe that the income limits for eligibility for the over 70s medical card need to be set much higher, as even people with a small private pension are fearful that they would be required to choose between the medical card or the pension.
“We are also insisting that the contract with the Irish Medical Organisation for the provision of the medical card service for older people needs to be urgently reviewed.
“We are committed to a fair and equitable health system, and believe that any changes proposed to the medical card system must also be fair and equitable.”
