PDs damaged FF over medical cards, claims Behan

THE PROGRESSIVE Democrats will leave politics as they entered by damaging Fianna Fáil, according to Independent TD Joe Behan.

The former FF TD also renewed his opposition to the ending of the automatic entitlement to the medical card for the over-70s. The Health Bill, which changes the rules on those medical cards, yesterday passed all stages in the Dáil by a comfortable 74 to 62 votes.

Mr Behan, who resigned from Fianna Fáil because he opposed the changes, said that "one reason the Progressive Democrats party was established was to damage Fianna Fáil. What saddens me most of all is that as the PD party comes to the end of its existence and leaves the political stage, the damage it will really inflict is not on itself but on Fianna Fáil".

He said he could not understand "no matter how difficult the economic times are, how Fianna Fáil can turn its back on that magnificent proposal on medical cards for the over-70s, brought forward under the leadership of Bertie Ahern in 2002".

In sharp criticism of Minister for Health Mary Harney and her view of universal access, he said "her understanding is that if people go to the doctor, they pay different amounts of money to get the same service. It is the first time I have ever heard that as a description of universal access to healthcare. I do not believe that is the Fianna Fáil way".

Mr Behan pointed out that the Minister proposed to a committee a few days ago, a supplementary estimate of another €70 million for possible payments to consultants. "Yet Fianna Fáil, which holds the majority in Cabinet, cannot see its way to convince the Minister for Health that €16 million can be found to ensure universal healthcare for the over-70s is protected."

Mary White (Green, Carlow-Kilkenny) insisted that her party "has not rowed back on anything. We never supported the full entitlement. For those who could pay, we agreed that those over 70 should pay it. That was our party position in 2001", she said.

Finian McGrath (Ind, Dublin North-Central) said he would support efforts to resolve the economic crisis "but there are certain issues which should never be touched. If the Government is talking about patriotism, it should never hammer the sick, the elderly and the disabled".

Ms Harney said: "We are constantly told how poor everybody is, yet on this issue it appears deputies are suggesting that virtually everybody will lose the medical card. They cannot have it both ways." The Minister said in calculating income thresholds "we are not taking into account any income from property, land or farms. Only actual income will be calculated".

Fine Gael spokesman Dr James Reilly insisted that studies showed better health outcomes as a result of the medical card for all those over 70, but Ms Harney said studies of 10 years and longer were needed to verify such outcomes. Dr Reilly said however that such studies "can be as long as you want. Information becomes available within years".

Labour health spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan called a vote but was defeated on the main amendment in the legislation.

The Bill goes to the Seanad today.