Age Action awaiting Govt move on medical card row

Age Action Ireland has given a guarded welcome to indications that the Government would seek talks with the doctors on the medical card scheme.

This week’s Budget proposal to withdraw the automatic entitlement of over 70’s to the medical card has provoked a major controversy.

Age Action has said that Brian Cowen’s intervention in the row shows the Government acknowledges the unfairness of the proposed changes.

A committee to examine how the proposal can be restructured will be set up so that more acceptable arrangements can be found, while still allowing the Government to make savings.

Age Action spokesperson Eamonn Timmins has said the move was a positive step.