Medical Card scandal

Figures released by the Department of Health showing a shocking drop in the number of people holding medical cards in the 26 Counties are a stark indictment of the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat coalition's lack of concern for working families on low incomes

The state has one of the poorest levels of health of any EU member state and the government has consistently failed to address inequality of access to health services. More people than ever are being denied basic health care. As it stands, people can't afford to get sick.

There are now more than 100,000 less Medical Cardholders than there were when the FF/PD coalition came to power in 1997. This is the lowest number of medical cardholders ever. 5,520 less people in Limerick alone have Medical Cards than did in 1997. Many people on low incomes simply cannot afford to get sick or visit their GP. A single person living alone loses their Medical Card if they earn more than €142.50 a week, which is little more than half the minimum wage. The income threshold for a married couple rises to €206.50 per week.

This has led to a situation whereby most Medical Cards today are held by people on social welfare, by those who are over 70 or suffer from a chronic illness. However, often it is working families who have sick children or babies needing medical attention who bear the greatest financial burden of not having a Medical Card. In practice, this means that people present to hospitals later and often with more chronic illnesses.

As the new Minister of Health, Mary Harney will no doubt promise an increase in Medical Cards. However, it is certain that these will simply replace those that were taken away. People should not be prevented from accessing medical attention because they cannot afford its cost.