Expansion of free GP care 'will improve health outcomes', says local TD

The news that the a further 215,000 people are eligible for free GP care has been welcomed by a local TD.

This morning Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced the opening of applications for the GP visit cards for newly eligible people. It is the first of two phases to provide free care by GPs to an estimated 430,000 people with the second phase in November.

It will be the biggest increase in eligibility for free GP care in the history of the State, covering up to 500,000 people.

Speaking this morning, Deputy Robert Troy welcomed the expansion of the scheme saying that “it is yet another example of Fianna Fáil in government making health care more affordable”.

“Not only is this making healthcare more affordable for patients it will also improve health outcomes.  Removing the financial barrier to accessing a GP encourages people to seek treatment at an earlier stage, rather than delaying the decision to seek care until the point at which the illness has progressed to the point where it requires hospitalisation – a much more expensive form of care.

“Improving healthcare affordability and access is a priority for Fianna Fáil in government. Since 2020 we have abolished in-patient hospital charges; introduced a landmark scheme providing free contraception for women; reduced the amount of money people have to pay for medicine; extended Medical Cards to more people with a terminal illness, ensuring anyone with a prognosis of up to two years can get one, and raised the income thresholds for those aged 70 and above, making many more medical cards available for those in retirement.”

Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly says that increasing the number of people eligible for a GP card “is a really important measure”.

“It's part of an expansion we're in the middle of. We are including every household up to the median income. That is about 430,000 people.”

He urged people to go to the HSE website and put in their details to see if they qualify for the new scheme.

Mr Donnelly added: “A single person who is renting with no children, on an income of around €40,000. A couple with children with a mortgage with one income, about €53,000.

“A couple with two children, a mortgage and childcare costs, about €63,000... they would qualify.

“I would encourage anyone to go an take a look, put in your own figures, your financial information, and see.”