Vol. 501 No. 3
88 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings he has had with the IMO and the National Association for Irish General Practitioners; and the arrangements agreed by both and the issues still outstanding in view of the concern expressed by them regarding the proposal contained in the 1998 budget to extend general medical services cover for the over 70s. [5958/99]
Negotiations have taken place with the Irish Medical Organisation on this matter. In all, four meetings were held and all outstanding issues in relation to its implementation have been resolved. The principal aspects of the agreement reached with the IMO last Thursday relate to a recalibration of the GMS scheme capitation rate for the over 70s age band, the facility for persons who become eligible for medical card to opt to remain with their existing private GP and a realignment of the indicative drugs target scheme to take account of the increased drugs costs associated with elderly persons. The issue of negotiations with the National Association of Independent General Practitioners on this or other matters does not arise since they do not hold a negotiation licence.
