Medical cards down 30% despite claims of ‘no cull’

The number of discretionary medical cards in the country is 30% less than what it was just three years ago — despite fresh Government insistence there has been no unfair cull on the service.

Figures revealed at the latest Oireachtas health committee meeting show that, since Dec 2010, the number of people benefiting from the State support has fallen from 80,709 to 50,505 — a 30,204 drop.

The particular category of medical card access is made available to people who are above the standard income threshold, but who can seek discretion due to their individual circumstances.