Government criticised as medical card bill clears final hurdle

THE Government was sharply criticised over the decision to remove the automatic entitlement to medical cards for over-70s which got over its final hurdle when it was passed in the Seanad yesterday.

In a scathing attack on the decision, Senator David Norris said yesterday that the Government has told people it is unpatriotic to live a long life.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said in his budget speech in October that the harsh measures were “no less than a call to patriotic action”.

During a debate on the Health Bill giving effect to the medical card cuts, Mr Norris said in the Seanad yesterday that the Government has abandoned the principle in the 1916 Proclamation that everybody in this country should be treated equally.

“Now it is a case that one cannot be a millionaire or live long because it is unpatriotic.

“Why did the minister for finance not say that it was unpatriotic to go on living, and that we ought to die out of decency and respect for his cack-handed budget? Well, I am not going to do that,” he said.

The independent senator said the medical card scheme was initially introduced as “a cynical vote getting exercise” and cannot be taken back.

“Now it is going to batter old people over the heads to get back a few bob, to take its bribe back, because that is what it was,” he said.

He then challenged the junior coalition partner, the Green party, to stand up to Fianna Fáil on the issue.

“If the Green party has the guts, conscience or decency, this is the time for it to get out of this corrupt and discredited Government,” he said.

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik said the medical card changes “represents a full-frontal attack on the principle of equality and on the principle of universal access to social services, in particular, health services”.

She added: “It is an immensely regressive measure”.

Minister with Responsibility for Older People, Máire Hoctor, addressed the Seanad on the issue. Mr Norris said while the minister was “an estimable woman” she was not welcome. “I do not welcome any member of this disgraceful government to this House,” he said.

Anyone over 70 applying for a card from January will be subject to a means test. From March, existing holders will be subject to a means test. Those earning less than €700 a week will be entitled to keep it.