People Over 60 Could Be Charged For Prescriptions Under New Government Plans

[Thirsty Relic 208]

So now we are suggesting that medicine should be means tested?  Perhaps all non-pensioners should be charged for their Covid jabs as well?

[Fiat500 17]

There have been changes with prescriptions over the last couple of years. Certain items you can no longer get on prescription whether you are a pensioner or not. My daughter has to pay for lotions and tablets for my grandson because they are no longer available on prescription. He suffers with breathing problems and bad eczema. I have to pay for eye drops for my  chronic dry eye symptoms. I am 66 and have to pay £12.60 for my eye drops from Amazon because they are no longer available on prescription. I have only just qualified for my pension. I was told they are cheaper to buy over the counter than a prescription....no they are not. I agree that paracetamol and ibruprofen are cheaper over the counter and do not need a prescription but there are other things that should still be available on prescription especially things for children.

[El Cid 212]

1 hour ago, West 77 said:

Exactly correct.  It makes no sense to have free prescriptions for working  people below retirement age.

But it wasnt linked to retirement before, people over 60 got free prescriptions. As people grow older they become less healthy. Just for the record, I am 58

I dont mind paying for prescriptions, but I believe their cost is too high.

[apelike 10]

2 hours ago, El Cid said:

Is there no poverty trap in a socialists world?

That's not what I was commenting on but this:

 

"people stay on benefits because off all the freebies" which was surprising coming from you as its usually a Tory rant. Also this, "Anything which is free, encourages waste." With socialism and the NHS everything should be free regardless of means and that also applies to prescriptions, so having any charge at all is against socialist principles even if it is £3-£5.

[the_bloke 17]

25 minutes ago, El Cid said:

But it wasnt linked to retirement before, people over 60 got free prescriptions. As people grow older they become less healthy. Just for the record, I am 58

I dont mind paying for prescriptions, but I believe their cost is too high.

The free prescription cut off point was originally 65, then lowered for women when the retirement age of women was dropped to 60. In 1995 the free prescription age for men was then brought in line with women at 60. I'm not sure of the reason, maybe it made it easier from a paperwork point of view and would have reduced any claims of sexual discrimination.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/aligning-the-upper-age-for-nhs-prescription-charge-exemptions-with-the-state-pension-age/aligning-the-upper-age-for-nhs-prescription-charge-exemptions-with-the-state-pension-age

 

I'm not sure why someone aged between 60 and 65 in work can't afford a prescription when they could at 59.

[Thirsty Relic 208]

3 minutes ago, the_bloke said:

 

I'm not sure why someone aged between 60 and 65 in work can't afford a prescription when they could at 59.

most no doubt could, which leaves those who can't having to be means-tested (more burden on the state to sort the paperwork out etc). 

 

Those who are not in work?  If they can't afford it? - more means testing etc etc.

 

Overall, wouldn't it be simpler (and cheaper when you think of all the administration involved) to stay with free prescriptions once you reach 60?

[El Cid 212]

36 minutes ago, apelike said:

That's not what I was commenting on but this:

 

"people stay on benefits because off all the freebies" which was surprising coming from you as its usually a Tory rant. Also this, "Anything which is free, encourages waste." With socialism and the NHS everything should be free regardless of means and that also applies to prescriptions, so having any charge at all is against socialist principles even if it is £3-£5.

I am sure other people have a mix of views, I can debate anything really 

I think Scotland have a better democracy with more freebies, but I still believe work is good, for everyone. But then its great if there is a person staying home and not working if they have children.

If you live in Scotland or Wales, you become eligible for a free bus pass when you reach 60, but not in England; because England has a poor democracy.

Can we force elderly Scots and Welsh to pay for their bus travel, or should us English get free travel from 60 

 

Is that racial discrimination?

Edited July 4, 2021 by El Cid

[RollingJ 1,999]

13 minutes ago, El Cid said:

I am sure other people have a mix of views, I can debate anything really 

I think Scotland have a better democracy with more freebies, but I still believe work is good, for everyone. But then its great if there is a person staying home and not working if they have children.

If you live in Scotland or Wales, you become eligible for a free bus pass when you reach 60, but not in England; because England has a poor democracy.

Can we force elderly Scots and Welsh to pay for their bus travel, or should us English get free travel from 60 

 

Is that racial discrimination?

Bolded/underlined bit - no, it is devolved administration.

[El Cid 212]

27 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

Bolded/underlined bit - no, it is devolved administration.

Does England have a 'devolved administration'?

[Thirsty Relic 208]

19 minutes ago, El Cid said:

Does England have a 'devolved administration'?

Not to my knowledge - I know Cornwall is pushing for one, I wish South Yorkshire would!

[the_bloke 17]

1 hour ago, Thirsty Relic said:

most no doubt could, which leaves those who can't having to be means-tested (more burden on the state to sort the paperwork out etc). 

 

Those who are not in work?  If they can't afford it? - more means testing etc etc.

 

Overall, wouldn't it be simpler (and cheaper when you think of all the administration involved) to stay with free prescriptions once you reach 60?

Prescriptions are already 'means tested' - if you claim benefits, you get free prescriptions. If you are out of work at 59, you get free prescriptions, if you are out of work at 60 you'll get a free prescription. 

 

Do you think the cost of changing the criteria from 'are you on benefits or over 60' to 'are you on benefits or claiming state pension' will be prohibitive, and if yes how much do you think it will cost for you to think it's not worthwhile? 

[El Cid 212]

1 hour ago, Thirsty Relic said:

Not to my knowledge - I know Cornwall is pushing for one, I wish South Yorkshire would!

Maybe our new Mayors will help that, but its not a real equivalence. A Mayor will have much less power than a devolved Parliament.