Freeze on medical cards could hit 42,000

THE HSE is considering suspending the issuing of new medical cards as part of a raft of drastic measures aimed at breaking even in 2011.

The draft proposals — published in an internal HSE document — also show that it is considering reducing home help hours by 600,000 — or 24% — and removing 400,000 personal assistant hours — a drop of 61% — between now and the end of the year in cuts that will save about €57.5 million.

The HSE is considering not issuing medical cards to a projected 42,044 people under 65 — except in an emergency case — between now and the end of the year in a bid to save €18m.