The recent VHI hike of 45 per cent in charges must be reversed, the Fine Gael spokesperson on Social Protection, Deputy Michael Ring, has demanded.
“In light of the fact that the guidelines for medical cards have remained the same for the past few years and with the vast increases in VHI premiums, many people will now have no health cover,” Deputy Ring said.
Dep Ring pointed out that for a single person aged up to 65 years living alone, the medical card income limit is €184; for a single person aged 66 years up to 69, the income limit is €201.50; for a married couple aged up to 65 years, the limit is €266.50; and for a married couple aged 66 to 69, the limit is €298.
“When you take into consideration the recent increases in the VHI of up to 45 per cent, it is putting pressure on families and people working,” he said. “As a result of the new Universal Social Charge and other attacks on people’s incomes, people are finding it increasingly difficult to afford health cover now.
“The Government needs to take the VHI to task and instruct them to reverse this hike. The Government also should increase the income guidelines for the medical card and this should be done immediately to give people on low incomes who presently do not qualify for it an opportunity to qualify for the medical card.”
