The NWCI react with disbelief at the proposal for ‘doctor-only’ medical cards

Published: Wednesday, November 10, 2004

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) has reacted with disbelief at the proposed allocation of 200,000 new 'GP-only' medical cards in the Book of Estimates published yesterday.
''The National Women's Council of Ireland is greatly concerned that this new measure will not address the lack of access to health services by the many women and children living in poverty and disadvantage'' stated Annie Dillon, the NWCI's Health Policy Officer, today.

Ms Dillon also voiced the Council's further concern that this proposal would create a new three-tier health care system in Ireland: '' Many low income individuals and families are unable to access affordable health-care, and the proposed new medical card programme will really do nothing to change this situation. It will create a new three-tier health care system; those with no medical card, those with free-GP and medical care and those with free GP care only. This is unacceptable,'' she stated.

Referring to Minister Harney's comments in yesterday's Irish Independent (18/11/04), Ms Dillon said that she found it 'incredible' the Minister's view that the extension of the free GP scheme means that ''people will be able to get the advice and reassurance they need from their GP and in many cases no additional drugs costs will arise''. ''It could be assumed that there is a likely chance that when sick people visit the GP, they will be prescribed medication to help cure their illness."

Ms Dillon reiterated the NWCI's Pre-Budget Submission call to extend the medical card to children under eighteen years of age; to ensure the full medical card be extended to those on low income, including those just above the medical card threshold.