Government eases eligibility rules for medical cards

TENS of thousands of poorly paid workers and low-income families have been given a fresh chance to qualify for a medical card after the Government eased eligibility rules.

Individuals and households can now earn 20% more before hitting the cut-off point for exclusion from the medical card schemes, and they can also ask that a higher level of basic living costs be taken be into account when their applications are assessed.

Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney said the changes would allow at least 200,000 extra applicants qualify for the new "doctor only" or GP visit card which covers the cost of GP visits but not prescriptions, while an extra 30,000 full medical cards, which cover all medical costs, would also be issued. She said the first GP Visit cards should be ready for issuing by the end of the month.