Harney outlines health cuts

Health Minister Mary Harney has outlined the health estimates for next year as part of today's Budget.

There will to be no increases in charges for day, inpatient and long stay services in hospitals, and there is to be no increase in the charge for attending A&E. Charges for private beds in public hospitals are also not being increased.

However, the monthly threshold for the Drugs Payment Scheme is to be increased from €100 to €120 from January 1, and medical card holders and those on the long-term illness scheme will pay 50 cent for each item they receive on prescription, with a monthly ceiling of €10 on payments.

The Health Minister said that the €400 million worth of savings in the health area would be made up from €283 million cost reductions for drugs and dental treatment, €75 million from collecting outstanding income and €42 million from increased charges.

Health sector workers, including hospital consultants, will see their pay cut. Furthermore, a further reduction in fees payable to some health professionals (excluding pharmacists) is planned.

Next year, an extra €230million will be provided for demand-led schemes such as additional medical cards. There will also be an additional €97 million allocated to the Fair Deal nursing home scheme. An additional €10 million will be put towards home care packages and an additional €20 million will be given to the cancer control programme, which will include the roll out of a national bowel cancer screening programme.

Total day-to-day health spending for 2010 will be €14.8 billion, compared to a €15.6 billion out-turn in spending for 2009.

View more detailed analysis of the Budget health measures here

[Posted: Wed 09/12/2009]