Shatter Accuses the HSE of Causing Confusion and Fear Among Over 70’s Medical Card Holders

Fine Gael National Press Office Press Statement
Leinster House Contact: Alan Shatter TD
Dublin 2 Joanne Lonergan Front Bench
Ireland 01 6183858 / 087 2379458

Monday, 2 March 2009

Shatter Accuses the HSE of Causing Confusion and Fear Among Over 70's Medical Card Holders

Fine Gael Front Bench Spokesperson, Alan Shatter TD, today (Monday) accused the HSE of causing confusion and anxiety for pensioners.

"Under the provisions of the Health Act 2008 a person who received an over 70s medical card before 01 January 2009 shall, no later than 02 March 2009, ‘notify the Health Services Executive if he or she has concluded that their income exceeds the relevant gross income'.

"Clearly this provision requires only those people over 70 whose gross income exceeds €700 a week for a single person or €1400 for a couple to notify the HSE that they are no longer eligible to retain the card.

"However, in a blatant contradiction of the requirements of the legislation, the HSE states on its website that all those over 70s who received a Medical Card before 1st January 2009 are required to make an income declaration.

"The following is an extract from the HSE website:

‘The HSE will be writing during January 2009 to every medical card holder aged 70 years and over, outlining the changes that have occurred and asking those who received their medical card on the basis of age only (without a means test) to make a declaration on their income before 2nd March 2009.'

‘We will do everything possible to assist our clients through this process and ensure that everyone who is eligible for a Medical Card will have their eligibility confirmed before the end of March 2009.'

"This contradiction has caused a great deal of unnecessary worry and a fear among people over 70 who are properly entitled to retain their medical card that their cards will be withdrawn. I am calling on the Minister for Health, Mary Harney TD, to immediately insist that HSE corrects this misinformation on its website and immediately reassures those under the income limits who are entitled to retain their medical card that they are not obliged under the legislation to make an income declaration to the HSE."

Ends

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