Cuts will safeguard health strategy, says Martin

The Minister for Health & Children, Mr Micheál Martin, admitted this evening that today's Budget Estimates would preclude the Government from extending medical card eligibility in the near future. But he said prudent management of the economy would guarantee the future of the National Health Strategy.

However, a Government spokesman said it was still committed to extending eligibility over the lifetime of the Government.

Sixty-five per cent of available resources will be devoted to Health, Social & Family Affairs and Education. Health will get €8.9 billion, up 6 per cent on 2002.

Despite receiving the lion's share of available resources in the Estimates, the Department of Health this evening announced cutbacks in the drug refund scheme and the price of private hospital beds.

Given the escalation in costs of the drug refund scheme, the Minister will be restructuring the scheme, which will involve an increase in the existing threshold, a Department statement said.

It also revealed details of a 10 per cent increase in the charge of a private hospital bed.

Minister Martin dismissed allegations that the Government could not fund its National Health Strategy. He said: "Strong management of our economy by the Government gives us the best guarantee that the Health Strategy will be delivered on. Good fiscal responsibility will deliver the Strategy. The alternative would consign it to oblivion."

Fine Gael health spokesperson, Ms Olivia Mitchell said: "Bed and ward closures will inevitably follow the 2003 Estimates announced today."

Ms Mitchell said: "No attempt has been made to protect the sickest or the poorest. Patients will pay more in 2003 for a greatly reduced health service."