Report finds more than one-third of population have a medical card

MORE than one third of people here have a medical card, with the number having increased by almost 10% in 2009 and 2010.

According to key trends for 2011 published by the Department of Health, the numbers eligible for the medical card have increased by almost 35% over the past decade, with some 36% of the population now covered by a medical card.

The Irish Examiner reported in September concerns that Ireland is in danger of creating a “health poverty trap” after it emerged more than 200,000 more people have become eligible for medical and GP visit only cards since January 2010.