CHANGES to entitlement to free dental care and prescriptions were approved by Tynwald despite concern they were in breach of a European Union directive.
The amendments to the National Health Service Act 2001, moved by Health Minister David Anderson MHK on Tuesday, mean prescriptions and dental care will be free to people of pensionable age – instead of 60 for prescriptions and 65 for dental charges.
In addition, people will have to start paying dental charges from the age of 16, lowered from 18.
Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan MHK explained that women had been entitled to free prescriptions from the age 60 but men had to wait until they were 65.
This changed in December 1995 following a ruling from the European Court of Justice that the same legislation in the UK breached an EU directive on the progressive implementation of equal treatment for men and women.
When asked by Mr Rodan to explain the ‘important reversal of Tynwald policy’, Mr Anderson said the DoH had taken legal advice on the issue, saying: ‘We are working towards the goal of equalisation but it will take a few years to get there.’
The Health minister said the department was looking at further amendments to prescription exemption criteria, and that he had been asked by the Council of Ministers to take the issue forward one step at a time.
And he again said that means-testing was being looked at.
In his Budget speech, Mr Anderson said almost 90 per cent of prescriptions issued each year are to people who are exempt from paying the charge.
Onchan MHK Peter Karran (Liberal Vannin) said it was ‘outrageous’ that millionaire pensioners were entitled to free prescriptions.
Fellow Liberal Vannin MHK Kate Beecroft said the department could consider introducing a blanket charge of £2 per prescription for everyone except children and people on low incomes.
‘I understand if there was a charge of £2 for every prescription it would double the amount recouped by the department.’
Phil Braidwood MLC said: ‘If you can afford to pay it, you should pay your prescription charges.’
