Sir, – Louis Hogan (May 3rd) questioned my statement (in the Dáil) that only the wealthiest 5 per cent are to be affected by the latest reduction in income limits for medical cards in respect of the over-70s age group.
The Health (Alteration of Eligibility of Criteria) Act, 2013 reduced the gross income thresholds for an over-70s medical card from €700 per week to €600 per week for a single person and from €1,400 to €1,200 for a couple, effective from April 5th, 2013.
Prior to the changes, 360,000 over-70s held a medical card, which equates to 97 per cent of the total over-70s population of approximately 370,000. The reduction in the thresholds will affect circa 20,000 over-70s medical card holders. They will now all qualify for a GP visit card and the Drugs Payment Scheme, instead of a medical card. This will leave unaffected the remaining 340,000 of over-70s who hold a medical card, or 92 per cent of the over-70s population. The net change in the population coverage is 5 per cent.
I trust this clarifies the matter. – Yours, etc,
ALEX WHITE TD,
Minister with Responsibility
for Primary Care,
Department of Health,
Hawkins House, Dublin 2.