Republican News · Thursday 24 January 2002

Minister challenged on Medical Cards

Sinn Fein General Election candidate for Meath, Cllr Joe Reilly, has challenged Mícheál Martin and the members of the North Eastern Health Board to explain their miserly increase in the allowance guidelines for Medical Cards for 2002-2003.

"A married couple's allowance last year was £144.50," said Reilly. "For the coming year the guidelines have increased to £149.99 (€190.50), an increase of £4.99 (€6.34) The allowance for a child under 16 has risen by all of .86c to €24.00. All the various categories show that there has mealy mouthed rises in the allowances.

"The present medical card guidelines ensure that large numbers of people on low income are debarred from entitlement to a medical card. With visits to the doctor's surgery now costing €35, many low-income families cannot afford to bring their children for medical treatment. There is evidence that people have canceled operations because they are unable to meet the medical bills".

"Elected members of the NEHB must challenge Minister Martin on these guidelines. The Department policy on Medical Cards is a sham and calls into question the reality of the recently launched government Health Strategy document. The Minister and the Board must explain to the public why the present guidelines are barring parents and children from receiving medical treatment."