Local FF cllrs to meet again after U-turn on medical cards

Anger, outrage and upset greeted the Government"s announcement that it was to take away the automatic right to a medical card from the over-70s last week, and while the Government may have climbed down from the proposal, many feel there is still confusion out there among the elderly. On Sunday night, Fianna Fail councillors from across Meath met in Navan and issued a statement condemning the Government"s decision and stating that the proposal to be finally agreed must have 'social justice at its core'. Speaking after the revised proposal was announced, which means that now 95 per cent of those who have medical cards will get to keep them, Cllr Seamus Murray who issued the statement said Meath Fianna Fail councillors would be meeting again next weekend and, while he could not speak for other councillors, he felt they would be satisfied with what is being proposed. Meath East TD Thomas Byrne, who was part of a five-man delegation who made representatives to the Tanaiste on the issue, said that they wanted to work within the party structure to try to get the scheme changed and 'they had been successful'. He said he would be 'absolutely supporting' the new proposal and said he regretted the stress and worry it had caused so many people. 'We have a solution that will suit almost everybody. Anybody I spoke to would have no worries on the new scheme.' He defended the Government"s decision to remove automatic entitlement to a medical card for the over 70s and said they could not 'sustain a situation where the super wealthy get medical cards'. Meath West Fianna Fail TD Johnny Brady also welcomed the news that the Government has set a new income threshold for medical cards for the over 70s. 'The new income threshold for medical cards in respect of persons aged 70 and over is such that all of those whose [gross] weekly income is €700 [€36,500 pa] or less for a single person, or €1,400 [€73,000 pa] for a couple will continue to have a full medical card. From now on, savings will not count towards the threshold, only income from savings. 'I am delighted that in addition to these new extended thresholds any older person who has difficulty will be eligible to apply for a medical card under the HSE"s discretionary medical card scheme,' he said. 'These are tough economic times and the Government has had to make tough decisions. I am satisfied that the five per cent of over 70s who will not be eligible for a medical card are those who will be able to afford to pay for their care,' added Deputy Brady. Anton McCabe, president of the Meath SIPTU branch, said there seemed to be major confusion as to how the scheme will be implemented and said it was his view that it is a 'cosmetic approach' to push through the budget as a whole. 'While this is a comedown by the Taoiseach and the ministers, it is my own opinion that it is a carrot to get the budget through the Dail. Some of the backbenchers will also want clarification on what they are voting for. People are totally confused. I think this is a cosmetic approach to try to get the anger of the people down,' he said. A protest march by retired members of SIPTU is going ahead this morning (Wednesday) in Dublin. Mr McCabe described the situation as the 'biggest mistake the Government has made' and said he was concerned that local TDs and representatives 'have not been as vocal as quite a number of them around the country'. Meath West TD Damien English said he was 'very annoyed at the way the Government went about the whole thing' and that elderly people had been let suffer for days and many could not sleep. 'Today"s muddle of an announcement does not clarify enough. I accept it seems to have been rolled back but there are cracks appearing. I"m afraid that we will be hearing more bits and pieces. We want it clearly stated who will get it or not.' Deputy English said Fine Gael felt the system should have been left alone and that with any scheme there would be a small percentage of people who would qualify who did not need it. 'Everyone of those pensioners did their bit for their country and they deserve their medical card,' he said. Meanwhile, a group of senior citizens from Summerhill"s Third Age Centre were due to travel to Dublin this morning (Wednesday) to protest at the Government"s decision to remove the automatic entitlement to a medical card for those over 70. 'We still feel it should be left for everybody over 70. We had to fight long and hard for that and now they are taking it away. Our members are all of the same view, that it should be left.' Ms Nally said people had been very angry, outraged and upset when it was announced last Wednesday that people over 70 would be means tested for their medical cards. She said what was being proposed was 'morally wrong' and that older people have worked all their lives and contributed to the success of this country and the growth of the Celtic Tiger. She said there was a 'little less fear' following the revised proposal but asked why should the Government take medical cards away from the older people. 'These people have paid their dues and helped build the Celtic Tiger and now they are being victimised,' she said.