Age Action warns of backlash if Government meddles with medical card
Older people will today deliver a clear message to the Government to stay away from their medical cards in the Budget.
The IMF has proposed major cuts to eligibility and the introduction of co-payments by medical-card holders to save money.
After a huge public backlash in 2008, the previous Government had to row back on proposals to means-test the over-70s before issuing medical cards.
Age Action's head of advocacy and communications Eamon Timmins said that older people are prepared to take to the streets again.
"They came out in 2008 because this is a very valuable support for them, at stage of life when 70% of people have a chronic illness and a third of older people live with a disability," he said.
"A medical card is vital to give people that piece of mind that if they get sick, they will be able to afford their health care.
"Nothing has changed since 2008, that is even more important now, and I've no doubt that if the Government try to meddle with that, then there will be a backlash."
