IMO highlights medical card eligibility problems

The Irish Medical Organisation which represents 5,200 doctors has today voiced serious concerns in relation to eligibility for medical cards for old age pensioners following the recent social welfare increases.

According to the IMO, these increases will lead to certain categories of social welfare recipients no longer being eligible for a medical card on income grounds.

By way of example it says that a single person on the maximum rate of old age contributory pension of €147.30 per week will be €3.30 per week over the eligibility limit for a medical card.

Dr James Reilly, Chairperson of the IMO General Practitioner Committee said: "This highlights the miserly and mean spirited approach to medical card eligibility by the current Government.

"The IMO again calls on the Government to address this issue as an immediate priority. Failure to do so will further undermine the Government's credibility in relation to its commitment to the Primary Care Health Strategy," he said.