Minister defends rise in A&E charges

THE massive Budget hike in the accident and emergency charge for non-medical card holders from €66 to €100 was a soft option that would mean hard choices for ordinary families, according to Fine Gael’s health spokesperson, Dr James Reilly.

Health Minister, Mary Harney, insisted however, the increase was to discourage people from unnecessarily going to a busy A&Es.

The charge would not apply to those who had a letter from their GP and medical card holders.