Mayo medical card numbers and withdrawals
Mayo had 38,762 current cards; 1,343 applications and 1,063 withdrawals were recorded in the first four months, including 106 old age contributory pensioners. Flynn argued that withdrawals caused hardship and sought realistic income guidelines; the Minister defended the existing guidelines, saying they had been reviewed in January and would be reviewed again before year-end.
asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards currently held by residents of County Mayo; the number of applications made since 1 January 1983; the number of medical cards withdrawn to all categories since 1 January 1983; and the number of old age pensioners who have had their medical cards withdrawn since 1 January 1983.
Comment on this
On 28 February, the last date for which information is available, there were 38,762 medical cards current in County Mayo.
There were 1,343 applications received in the first four months of this year. During the same period 1,063 cards were withdrawn, which included 106 held by old age contributory pensioners.
Comment on this
I take it that 38,762 is the total number of cards held. Can the Minister of State tell me what percentage of the total population that represents?
Comment on this
The average for medical cards is 61.43 per cent and the average in respect of the overall population is 37.13 per cent.
Comment on this
Does the Minister agree that the withdrawal of 1,063 medical cards in such a short period in a county with a very high dependency on medical cards is quite significant and must be causing considerable hardship? Will the Minister indicate when he will bring in realistic guidelines for applications for medical cards so that medical cards will be issued on the net carry home pay and not on this ridiculous gross income system that exists at present?
Comment on this
We have guidelines and we operate them. They are the guidelines the Deputy operated when he was on this side of the House.
Comment on this
I must press this matter. Does the Minister realise that from the first week in July this year two non-contributory old age pensioners in receipt of the maximum pension will not be entitled to a medical card because they will be in excess of the £77 guideline which the Minister is trying to justify? Will the Minister give an undertaking to the House that he will reduce these ridiculous guidelines at present operated by the health boards to bring some relief to old age pensioners and others in the lower income group so that they can at least have the comfort of medical cards?
Comment on this
The guidelines were reviewed in January and they will be reviewed again before the end of 1983.