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20/10/2008
Harney Denies Threatening To Quit
The Health Minister, Mary Harney, has denied reports she threatened to resign over the medical card debacle.
Reports on Monday claim Ms Harney threatened to walk out if the highly criticised plans to end the automatic medical-card entitlement from over-70s were scrapped.
Speaking in Dublin today, Ms Harney denied the she would take such action. She said: "I don't engage in threats, I don't play that kind of politics."
Following speculation there would instead be a renegotiation of payment to GPs that work with card users, Ms Harney said the Government is not in a position to negotiate new medical-card fees because of Irish and European competition law.
The subject was also put to the director of the competition authority's monopolies division, Dr Stanley Wong, who said any such talks would be a breach of Irish and European competition law.
The Government is understood to have contacted the IMO to discuss possible reductions in the fee structure for over-70 medical cards.
Adding to the government's already considerable woes on the subject, Fianna Fáil councillor and three-time mayor of Midleton in Co Cork has said he is resigning from the party over the proposal to means test people over 70 for medical cards.
Billy Buckley described the proposal as a savage attack on elderly people.
(DW)
Reports on Monday claim Ms Harney threatened to walk out if the highly criticised plans to end the automatic medical-card entitlement from over-70s were scrapped.
Speaking in Dublin today, Ms Harney denied the she would take such action. She said: "I don't engage in threats, I don't play that kind of politics."
Following speculation there would instead be a renegotiation of payment to GPs that work with card users, Ms Harney said the Government is not in a position to negotiate new medical-card fees because of Irish and European competition law.
The subject was also put to the director of the competition authority's monopolies division, Dr Stanley Wong, who said any such talks would be a breach of Irish and European competition law.
The Government is understood to have contacted the IMO to discuss possible reductions in the fee structure for over-70 medical cards.
Adding to the government's already considerable woes on the subject, Fianna Fáil councillor and three-time mayor of Midleton in Co Cork has said he is resigning from the party over the proposal to means test people over 70 for medical cards.
Billy Buckley described the proposal as a savage attack on elderly people.
(DW)
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21 October 2008
Embarrassment As Medical Card Policy Scrapped
The Irish Government has admitted defeat and scrapped the plans for most over 70s to pay for their health costs. Following a threatened backbench revolt, resignations, withdrawals of support and public outcry, the Taoiseach has reversed Mary Harney's policy.
Embarrassment As Medical Card Policy Scrapped
The Irish Government has admitted defeat and scrapped the plans for most over 70s to pay for their health costs. Following a threatened backbench revolt, resignations, withdrawals of support and public outcry, the Taoiseach has reversed Mary Harney's policy.
21 October 2008
Cowen To Hold Press Conference On Medical Card Fiasco
The Taoiseach will be trying to quell the anger caused by the medical card controversy in a press conference on Tuesday morning.
Cowen To Hold Press Conference On Medical Card Fiasco
The Taoiseach will be trying to quell the anger caused by the medical card controversy in a press conference on Tuesday morning.
20 October 2015
Govt Accused Of Continuing To Betray Medical Card Holders - FF
The government has been accused of continuing to betray medical card holders in the wake of the Budget 2016 announcements. Fianna Fáil general election candidate for Kildare North, Frank O'Rourke, said that the government has overseen a five-hold increase in prescription charges despite promising to abolish them altogether four years ago.
Govt Accused Of Continuing To Betray Medical Card Holders - FF
The government has been accused of continuing to betray medical card holders in the wake of the Budget 2016 announcements. Fianna Fáil general election candidate for Kildare North, Frank O'Rourke, said that the government has overseen a five-hold increase in prescription charges despite promising to abolish them altogether four years ago.
26 November 2014
HSE Produce 10 Step Plan For Medical Card Scheme
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced a ten step plan to improve the operation of the medical card scheme, in an effort to make it "more sensitive" to people's needs.
HSE Produce 10 Step Plan For Medical Card Scheme
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced a ten step plan to improve the operation of the medical card scheme, in an effort to make it "more sensitive" to people's needs.
30 October 2008
No Medical Coverage For Quarter Of Irish Adults
More than 25% of Irish adults do not have a medical card, or private health insurance, the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office have revealed. According to the CSO, only 44% of those who responded to the latest Quarterly National Household Survey, said that they had private insurance, while 24% said they had a medical card.
No Medical Coverage For Quarter Of Irish Adults
More than 25% of Irish adults do not have a medical card, or private health insurance, the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office have revealed. According to the CSO, only 44% of those who responded to the latest Quarterly National Household Survey, said that they had private insurance, while 24% said they had a medical card.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
