The Government’s decision to revise its controversial plans to abolish the automatic right to medical cards for the over 70s was last night blasted by a vocal health services critic.
Fine Gael Cllr Barry O’Neill said he was “furious” that means testing had not been abolished completely, “as had been proposed just days earlier by members of the Taoiseach’s own party”.
In what has been the most contentious fall-out over a budget decision in the last decade, Taoiseach Brian Cowen back-tracked on the issue, but refused a complete reversal of the government’s budget announcement last week.
Income eligibility limits would be significantly increased to ensure that around 95 per cent of those who currently have cards would retain them, he said.
The new income thresholds for qualification for a medical card for over-70’s, would now be €700pw for a single person, equivalent to €36,500pa, and €1400pw for a couple, or €73,000pa.
But Cllr O’Neill said the new changes would still affect a lot of elderly people in Donegal and the rest of the country.
“Why pick on old people, and in terms of cutting costs in the Health Service, why didn’t the Government look at the area of drugs dispensaries, where it could have saved millions?”
Cllr O’Neill added: “The Government has gone 70 per cent of the way, but it needs to go back to where it was a fortnight ago. It’s unfair that the people who created the wealth in our country in the first place should be penalised in such draconian fashion.”
Meanwhile Labour party spokesman for Donegal south west Seamus Rodgers said: “The issue over medical cards has created widespread confusion among over-70’s. It is terrible for people who have contributed to society over many decades”.
Eamon Timmins of Age Action Ireland said the new income thresholds for the over-70s medical card sounded the “death knell” for the automatic entitlement to the card, which was greatly valued by older people.
“Within a week older people have gone from a situation where everybody was entitled to a medical card once they reached 70, to one where only those who pass the means test will get one.”
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said she “regretted” any upset which had been caused to the elderly because of a revision of this scheme.
She said after holding a clinic at her office in Donegal Town on Saturday morning it “became clear” to her that Government’s earlier decision would have to be modified.
Cllr David Alcorn said the medical card controversy had been one of the “most contentious issues I had ever had to deal with during my time as a public representative”.
Cllr Alcorn, who is a member of the Health Service Executive West forum said: “When you talk about people’s grannies and granddads you’re up against it, I can tell you.”
He added: “I’m glad that the ministers and Taoiseach have seen the distress that has been caused. I have great time for the over 70’s as they have built this county and country over the years.”
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher said he gave the Taoiseach “full credit” for recognising that he had to “overturn his decision” a week after the budget was announced.
But he said: “It does cause problems for the government. It is an embarrassment for all us”.
Asked how the Government planned to enforce the new proposal that people above the new income threshold would have to notify authorities, Minister for Health Mary Harney said that the vast majority of older people are honest.

Reporter: Kate Chambré