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05/12/2008
Government Publishes Medical Cards Legislation
The Government is to publish its legislation on the abolition of the automatic medical-card entitlement for the over 70s.
Following the announcement of the planned move in October as part of the Budget, widespread protest took place over the controversial measure.
The Government was forced to embarrassingly look again at the proposal, and eventually responded by significantly raising the income thresholds after which over-70s will lose their entitlement to a medical card.
Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore said it was "important legislation that should get the fullest debate and examination", and criticised the government for introducing the legislation with limited time to debate it with the upcoming Christmas break.
However, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Mr Gilmore today that the Cabinet had approved the legislation this week.
However, there is still some confusion over the new proposal's eligibility limit. To quell the original protests, it was announced only those earning over €75,000 would be affected by the removal of medical card entitlement. But it is unclear whether this figures applies to individuals or the combined total for a couple.
The new Health Bill would require all future applicants for over-70s to under a means test to ensure their income is within these thresholds.
(DW)
Following the announcement of the planned move in October as part of the Budget, widespread protest took place over the controversial measure.
The Government was forced to embarrassingly look again at the proposal, and eventually responded by significantly raising the income thresholds after which over-70s will lose their entitlement to a medical card.
Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore said it was "important legislation that should get the fullest debate and examination", and criticised the government for introducing the legislation with limited time to debate it with the upcoming Christmas break.
However, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Mr Gilmore today that the Cabinet had approved the legislation this week.
However, there is still some confusion over the new proposal's eligibility limit. To quell the original protests, it was announced only those earning over €75,000 would be affected by the removal of medical card entitlement. But it is unclear whether this figures applies to individuals or the combined total for a couple.
The new Health Bill would require all future applicants for over-70s to under a means test to ensure their income is within these thresholds.
(DW)
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