FG lashes Govt as in medical card numbers drop 46,000

A 46,000 drop in the number of people qualifying for medical cards is a far cry from the Government’s promise to bring an extra 200,000 people onto the scheme, Fine Gael health spokeswoman, Olivia Mitchell.

“Since January 2002, the number of people covered by the scheme has dropped by a staggering 46,500. The percentage of the population covered by the scheme has fallen from 31.24% in January 2002 to 29.43% in January 2004.

“People on low incomes are clearly suffering, and low-income groups are forced to neglect their health because they simply cannot afford a GP visit.

“From an economic point of view, it is a ridiculous policy that denies access to primary healthcare when the inevitable outcome is an emergency admission to an expensive hospital bed.”