Madam, - At the time I found it impossible to understand why the Government decided to give medical cards to well-off people. It was so obviously unjust that I came to the conclusion it was done to attract votes.
Now, the Budget Estimates reveal that the Department of Health plans to increase A&E and drug charges. As these are paid by everyone without a medical card the lower-paid will be badly affected. Already such people must find it impossible to be able to look after their own and their families' health properly. The injustice will be glaringly worse.
The health boards assiduously means-test before granting medical cards to those on low incomes. They should put just as much energy into means-testing the well-off out of the system and use the savings for those who need medical cards.
I strongly object to paying for the GP fees and the medicines of the well-off out of my taxes. I do not know of anyone in the media who has really challenged a politician on this. - Yours, etc.,
RUTH WYNNE, Granville Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.