Bill to extend free GP care published
Health Minister Simon Harris (pictured) has welcomed a Government decision to publish a bill aimed at expanding free GP care to all children of primary school age.
The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 also increases the income limits for medical card assessments for people aged 70 or over.
Phased
The bill will initially extend GP care without fees to six- and seven-year-olds, and will also provide the basis for a further phased extension to all children 12 years and under in the years ahead.
The bill also provides for the implementation of an increase in the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 or older to €550 for individuals and €1,050 for couples.