Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 217: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will consider the extension of medical card eligibility to all those over 65; the likely annual cost of such an initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11977/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government is fully committed to the extension of medical card coverage as set out in the health strategy and will continue to focus on people with low incomes. The estimated cost of extending medical card eligibility to persons aged 65 to 69 years would be approximately €82 million and that does not account for any adjustments to the rates paid to general practitioners and pharmacists participating in the general medical services schemes following the introduction of such a measure.