Income levels increased for medical cards
Up to 200,000 more families are to get free GP care after income levels for medical cards and doctor-only cards were increased by 20% today.
Minister for Health Mary Harney said she hopes the new changes will benefit children and the elderly as winter approaches.
She noted that the cost of living was eating into family incomes and she wanted people on modest wages to get GP care when needed.
“As we come into winter, it is particularly important for the elderly and children to be able to get to the doctor,” she said today.
“These changes mean that many more people will be able to visit their doctor free of charge.
“I also expect today’s measures to benefit older people on modest incomes who have not yet reached 70 years of age, when they are traditionally entitled to a medical card.”
Ms Harney said an advertising campaign run by the Health Service Executive would urge people to apply for the new cards
“I want people to know that they can now earn well above the minimum wage and be entitled to free GP services,” she added.
Under the new guidelines, a single parent with one child can now earn €560 per week and still qualify for a medical card.
A married couple with two children on €850 a week will also be eligible for a doctor-only card.
