Legislation to cut medical cards for over 70s is being debated by TDs today.
The bill will result in around 150 thousand pensioners losing their medical cards.
Instead they’ll be moved onto free GP cards, but will have to cover the cost of their own medication.
Before the debate, the Health Minister James Reilly will be pressed on whether the HSE can continue to offer safe health services following the cuts in last month’s Budget – and on the controversial roll-out of primary care centres.
Meanwhile, one of the country’s largest health insurers has hit out at the government decision to increase the levy on many private policies from March 1st.
Laya Healthcare says it will affect almost all its members – and families with be hardest hit. It means an extra charge of 49 Euro a year for most adult customers – and 15 Euro per child.
However, Minister Reilly has defended the levy saying it’s needed under risk equalisation to subsidise health insurance for elderly and vulnerable patients.
