GP-only medical cards a quarter of the value

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health spokesperson, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, has revealed that the promised GP-only medical card will be only a quarter of the value of the real Medical Card. In reply to a Dáil Question from Ó Caoláin, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, stated that while the GP-only card will cost approximately €250 per year, the cost per year of the full medical card is €1,000 per year.

"The revelation that the GP-only medical card is a quarter of the cost of the real Medical Card comes on Budget Day and adds a dose of reality to the hype over Minister Cowen's first big outing as Finance Minister," said Ó Caoláin.

"Hospital charges and medicine costs have already been increased by the Government so that the FF/PD Coalition is giving with one hand and taking away with the other. While the extension of free GP services to many more people will be welcome, the Government should not try to fool people into thinking that they are getting the full value of the General Medical Services Scheme. They will still bear the heavy cost of medicines which, together with hospital attendances, represent three quarters of the value of the medical card."