Today in the Budget – the medical card for over 70’s will now be means tested and not automatic. To compensate those who lose out – some pensioners who no longer get a medical card will get a €400 euro cash grant. (This is subject to a means test).
The €400 will be paid to people over 70 who don’t qualify for a medical card or a GP Visit Card under normal criteria and whose gross weekly income is below €650 for a single person or below €1300 for a married couple. (That’s about 67000 annually) Why are they giving 400 euro to someone on an income of 40000 or 50000 or 60000 a year? Sounds like the administration of the 400 euro grant system will cancel out most of the savings ?
