HSE refuses to withdraw warning over means tests

THE Health Service Executive has not withdrawn its warning to the over-70s that they will have to complete a means test for their medical card in the next few weeks, despite the controversy over the scheme.

Tens of thousands of letters and means test forms were being prepared for posting following the budget announcement that automatic entitlement to the card was being abolished and that existing card holders and new applicants would have to prove their income was low enough to warrant the free services.

The HSE swiftly announced it would be sending out the letters with means test forms beginning next week and it said everyone affected by the budget changes would receive one by the middle of November — just three weeks away.