Stricter rules for medical cards on the way

TOUGH new eligibility criteria for medical cards are being considered as the numbers seeking free GP and medical services climb to record levels.

Already 39% of the population — more than 1.6 million people — are covered by a medical card or a GP-visit card and briefing documents prepared by health officials for Health Minister Dr James Reilly show the figure is expected to hit an unprecedented 43% later this year.

That’s up from 29.5% of the population at the end of 2005, before the recession and the return of high unemployment. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is forecasting a 10% increase in the numbers with full medical cards and an 18% leap in GP card numbers during 2011.