Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No.2) Bill 2013, which seeks to give legislative effect to the changes to medical card eligibility for over 70s as advanced in the budget of 2014. This was a savage budget, which, through stealth, hit at the pockets of some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and specifically targeted the elderly. This is clearly evident in the measures before the House which drastically reduce the income limits for assessment for an over 70s medical card. It is estimated that as a direct result of this decision by the Government, one in ten pensioners will lose their medical cards.

To put this in context, more than 25,000 pensioners will face life with no medical card and it is anticipated that more than 2,000 Tipperary medical card holders will lose out. This is at a time when statistically a large portion of those over 70 will have serious health issues and high care needs. It is contradictory to remove means-tested cards from a section of society which has high medical needs in a budget which is rolling out free GP care for children, irrespective of the income of their parents. Surely this sector of society, which is recognised as having specific and increasing care and health needs, should be protected rather than attacked and should be a priority? This is a cruel, unfair and mean-spirited cut that has led to a wave of anxiety and will have a devastating effect on the peace of mind of older people. The elderly in society cherish medical cards. A medical card serves as a reassurance, a safety net and an insurance for the future. It affords some people comfort to know that if they have a serious medical issue or if their health deteriorates, they will be able to avail of necessary medical care and medication, irrespective of their circumstances.

It must also be stressed that the medical card is a requirement for any elderly person who requires aids and appliances from the HSE. This policy change will result in the costs of the aids and appliances being foisted onto the older person. The medical card is a prerequisite to being given a walking stick, walking frame, wheelchair or even a hearing aid. It will be little consolation to the thousands of elderly people who require these aids in their daily lives to be to be stripped of their medical card and awarded a GP visit card instead. These aids can be very costly and this move may result in people being unable to pay for the aids they so desperately need. Pensioners have not been immune to the recession and have seen their incomes fall drastically. In this budget alone pensioners have been hit with drastically increased prescription charges and are feeling an additional pinch on top of paying for their medication.

Older people have a fixed income and the cumulative and multiplier effect of cuts and rising costs is now taking an unbearable toll. Although the State pension has been retained, people are experiencing multiple pressures as a result of creeping costs for necessary goods and services, reduced entitlements and benefits, and the introduction of new charges and taxes. Elderly people are reporting less money in their pocket year on year, and many state they live on the brink of poverty. Fuel poverty is increasingly evident, as is isolation in the home. There is no exemption for pensioners from the myriad of charges, taxes and increases imposed by this Government, yet the comfort of the medical card is to be robbed from 10% of those who are over 70. It is unconscionable that this Government would strip elderly people of their vital medical cards. These people worked diligently and are being targeted in their later, and what should be their golden, years. This political decision is a disgraceful act which must be deplored and condemned. Our pensioners and elderly should be entitled to a reasonable standard of living and protection from these savage cuts. Instead, older people are being hit with a raft of painful cuts. We must stand up for the elderly in our community who have earned the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

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