Sir, – The Minister for Health intends to provide doctors with the "option" of charging a "nominal co-payment" – supposedly "as a way of discouraging inappropriate attendances" ("Under-6s and over-70s using free GP care may face 'nominal fee'", November 4th). Does he really think that I attend my doctor for social purposes? Is it really such a pleasure to sit in a waiting room with people, trying to avoid eye contact, or coughing and spluttering! There are, I am sure, people who visit their doctor because it is their only social contact; does the Minister now wish to tax their isolation?
Neither am I comforted by the report that the “co-payment” would be set at €5. There can be little doubt but that the €5 “co-payment” will increase until the medical card is of little or no real value.
Why is the Minister allowing this “optional” fee, if the money is not going to the HSE? Do the doctors need an increase in their income? Perhaps they do, but when did medical card holders (and those approaching the qualifying age) last get an increase in pay? The Minister should be asked to “come clean” and admit this is yet another tax, in addition to property tax and water charges, both of which must be paid from the same diminishing income of the old and infirm. – Yours, etc,
JOHN McENEANEY,
Celbridge, Co Kildare.