Sir, - I agree with many of the points made by Pat Fitzgerald (February 21st). Certainly a 70-year-old person should be entitled to a medical card, but I would go further than this. I believe that the whole population should be entitled to free medical care as this would then insure that all people have equal access to the system.
However, it is important to understand why most general practitioners have reservations about Mr McCreevy's proposed scheme. One has to appreciate that general practitioners are expected to provide care for 365 days a year for the sum total of a capitation fee of £64.25 per 70year-old male and £71.66 per 70-year-old female patient. There is a small increase in this sum depending on the distance of the patient's residence from the surgery.
As Mr Fitzgerald points out, citizens over 70 do require additional medical care and attention. However, general practitioners are now being asked to provide more care than ever before for these patients as the hospital systems are incapable of coping with the demands that they face.
These fees are quite simply unrealistic as it is impossible for general practitioners to provide a comprehensive level of care under the present capitation system. We need more resources. This is the kernel of the problem and source of discontent among general practitioners.
One must not forget that the politicians recently gave themselves a very healthy rise. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Daniel A. Hinds, General Practitioner, Greenmount Community Centre, Green Street, Cork.