More doctor only cards: Just another promise
Green Party Health spokesperson John Gormley TD has lashed Mary Harney’s plan to deliver more doctor only medical cards as ‘just another promise’.
“This promise was first made in November 2004,” said Deputy Gormley. “Now almost a year and seven months later, she issues the same promise. How long will it be before these doctor only cards are actually delivered?
“Despite the huge increases in medical expenses only approximately 28 per cent of the population have full medical cards compared to over 34 per cent when Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats took office.
“Given the enormous pressure on wages due to increased inflation, couples who now qualify will soon find they are above the €63,000 threshold. Mary Harney’s tenure as Minister for Health has seen her make and break a litany of promises.
“Her failure to deliver on her medical card promises has meant that more and more low income families have been pushed to their collar and that very often parents have ignored their own health needs in order to prioritise their children,” concluded Deputy Gormley.