Fees increase likened to stealth tax
A good Manx health service won't be achieved by increasing prescription fees for the vulnerable in society - that's the view of ex-union head Bernard Moffatt.
He's criticised proposals by the Department of Health and Social Care to raise charges for medication as 'a return to the stealth tax thinking', which targets those least able to respond.
Under the plans, open for public consultation until September, pensioners under the age of 75 and pregnant women would no longer receive free prescriptions.
Eye tests would be offered every two years isntead of annually, at a charge of £10.
Mr Moffatt says what he calls a 'sticking plaster' approach isn't going to solve long-term funding problems in the health service:
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