Fewer medical cards for poorer counties

THE number of medical cards issued in counties Cavan and Monaghan has decreased dramatically over the last seven years, despite population surges in both counties, and stagnant income levels.

The Ministers for Health and Finance should conduct an immediate review of the system.

In July 2004 there were 18,404 medical card-holders in Cavan - a drop of 3,626 since January 1997. Monaghan now has 16,520 people with a medical card - an even more dramatic drop of 5,977 since January ‘97. This new data shows that the Cavan/Monaghan constituency has suffered a huge reduction in medical cards despite a number of trends which suggest more help is needed - not less.