Barrett welcomes GP card for all children under 5
The recent proposal to give GP cards to all children under the age of 5.will alleviate the financial pressure on young parents who are constantly using a GP service with young children. This proposal is a key element in the joint health policy published recently by both parties. The plan also commits both parties to providing an extra 2,300 hospital beds, free health insurance for all children under 16 and medical cover for 40 per cent of the population in a package of reforms that will cost 1.1 billion euro.
I especially welcome the proposals that relate to children. As a parent myself, I understand the financial pressures on young parents who have to pay for regular GP visits with young children, it's a hugh expense in the first 5 years. I also commend the promise to provide 1,500 extra consultants and the scrapping of the plans by Minister Harney to build private hospitals on private lands. This government has locked itself into a policy of providing tax incentives to developers to build private clinics on the grounds of public hospitals without cross party support .
I also commend this proposal as it will reduce the cost to patients of GP care, focusing on the needs of families. Over the life time of the new Government, we will extend medical card coverage to 40% of the population, increasing the income thresholds for qualification, and enhancing the weighting for children in assessing medical card eligibility.
m: 087 9713268
No comments:
Post a Comment