Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if, in view of the fact that all pensioners between 66 and 70 years of age on State pension are over the income level to be eligible for a medical card as the threshold is €201 per week, he will consider introducing a waiver for hospital visits and over night stays which cost €75 per day for those who have already paid out €144 per month for their medications. [1616/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means of the applicant and his/her dependants. In assessing medical card applications for the applicants under 70 years, applications are considered on the basis of income net of tax and PRSI and allowance is made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work. Medical expenses are also taken into account.

The public in-patient charge (€75 per day subject to a maximum of €750 in any period of 12 consecutive months) is provided for by the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations 1987 (as amended), made under Section 53 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Medical card holders are exempted from this charge.

I have no plans to introduce further exemptions to hospital charges at this time.