asked the Minister for Health the reason medical cards are being refused to contributory old age pensioners.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pensioners' Medical Cards.
436.
Medical cards are issued to person who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, are unable without undue hardship to provide general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants.
There are income guidelines to assist the chief executive officers in the determination of eligibility. From 1 July 1984 these guidelines will include special provision for elderly persons.
If a contributory old age pensioner, or any other person, has an income which is assessed as being within the guidelines then that person is entitled to a medical card. If a contributory old age pensioner is deemed to be ineligible for a medical card, this decision is arrived at having regard to all relevant circumstances, including income from all sources.