Government should reverse mean-spirited decision on medical card

THE ending of automatic entitlement to a medical card for people over 70 is mean-spirited. The people who are now over 70, or approaching it, have lived in very hard times.

Despite this they raised large families, many purchased their own homes while managing somehow also to save a little for the rainy day.

Many of these people lived frugally so they would have some security in their old age. To think they are now being rewarded for their thriftiness by taking away something that was a great comfort to them in their old age is disgusting. A means test is seen by many people as demeaning and an invasion of privacy.

Many old people feel anxious and insecure and anything that brings a little comfort like free electricity, phone, travel and the medical card is worth so much to them. The Government should reverse this decision. Older people are more likely to vote than the rest of the population. This announcement has touched a raw nerve. To the Government I say — react before it is too late.

Hendrick Verwey

Old Church

Cobh

Co Cork