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

[geared 303]

19 hours ago, apelike said:

its very hard to find anyone who is actually poor even with pensioners.

 

Pensioners are often seen as being poor, in need of support etc.

 

It's probably time to rethink that, because while they are on a fixed income, they're also sat comfy in a mortgage free house, which can easily be worth half a million or more.

[El Cid 214]

17 hours ago, Anna B said:

Those over 60 are heir to far more illnesses and disease. I think making people work until they are 68 is a non-starter. Some of us may be living longer but not all, the difference in longevity is starkly contrasted between rich and poor; the poor on average living a good 10 years less than the richer members of UK society. The type of former employment also makes a big difference too.  Not all pensioners are created equal, some reach old age in relative good health, but many do not.

Men have been retiring at 65 for years, its only been going up to 66-67 in recent years, women live longer so they should be healthier and cope better with retiring at 67.

[El Cid 214]

On 02/07/2021 at 12:47, the_bloke said:

What is the problem here? If people are working until 66 until they get a state pension, why should they get free prescriptions from 60? 

About 90% of people don't actually pay for their prescriptions, that is really unfair for those that pay the full £9.35 per item.

The King’s Fund has recommended cutting the prescription charge to £2.50, I totally agree, then others can pay it too.

Under its proposals, medical exemptions and the low-income scheme would be abolished for all people, including pensioners, but no one would face a medicines bill of more than £104 a year, as seen with the current cap imposed with pre-payment certificates.

The Kings Fund figures are from 2014, a prescription charge between £3-5 is fair.

[Janus 28]

Clearly the gov are now thinking up ways to reduce the massive debt left by covid.

 

I understand they need to reduce this debt, but why arn't they investigating all false claims made by "busnesses that we were hearing about. Path of least resistance? 

Edited July 4, 2021 by Janus

[the_bloke 17]

29 minutes ago, El Cid said:

About 90% of people don't actually pay for their prescriptions, that is really unfair for those that pay the full £9.35 per item.

I don't see that as being unfair to be honest, in the same way I don't see my paying taxes is somehow unfair when other people don't.

 

I'm also not sure that is how the system works; people who pay for prescriptions aren't paying for those that don't, we simply don't pay enough. Plus what we do pay may not cover the cost of our own medication anyway.

 

Paying for a prescription simply tries to remove some of the financial burden on the NHS.

[El Cid 214]

43 minutes ago, the_bloke said:

I don't see that as being unfair to be honest, in the same way I don't see my paying taxes is somehow unfair when other people don't.

Maybe I should have said it re-enforces the poverty trap, people stay on benefits because off all the freebies. Or perhaps most of the prescriptions issued are to the over 60s because the young ones are healthier.

Anything which is free, encourages waste.

[Janus 28]

Anyway, political  parties rely quite a bit on the 'penioner  vote'. The over 60s  heading  towards pension age will not be pleased with this news.  

 

The cons are already losing their traditional seats to labour. This would put the tin at on it-I don't think it will happen.

[apelike 10]

4 hours ago, geared said:

 

Pensioners are often seen as being poor, in need of support etc.

Again it's about how you define poor. When most write about being poor they commonly use the relative poorness scale which is not about actual poverty but perceived poverty relative to the average wage and high earners.

 

4 hours ago, geared said:

It's probably time to rethink that, because while they are on a fixed income, they're also sat comfy in a mortgage free house, which can easily be worth half a million or more.

Me bolded.

 

That is not necessarily true. Its true that the above may apply to pensioners that have enjoyed a high income but not true of those pensioner on lower incomes who never bought a home.  I think it around 94% for those who had an average income of £55,000+ and drops to 66% for those with an income of 17,000+.

 

All benefits should be means tested but whether someone owns the home should not be part of that.

[apelike 10]

2 hours ago, El Cid said:

Maybe I should have said it re-enforces the poverty trap, people stay on benefits because off all the freebies. Or perhaps most of the prescriptions issued are to the over 60s because the young ones are healthier.

Anything which is free, encourages waste.

And there's me thinking you were a socialist!

[gamezone07 23]

3 hours ago, El Cid said:

About 90% of people don't actually pay for their prescriptions, that is really unfair for those that pay the full £9.35 per item.

The King’s Fund has recommended cutting the prescription charge to £2.50, I totally agree, then others can pay it too.

Under its proposals, medical exemptions and the low-income scheme would be abolished for all people, including pensioners, but no one would face a medicines bill of more than £104 a year, as seen with the current cap imposed with pre-payment certificates.

The Kings Fund figures are from 2014, a prescription charge between £3-5 is fair.

On top of now paying 10% of council tax(thanks Osborne) paying over 100 pounds prescription charge  after being exempt would be a very bitter pill, no pun intended, esecially as again watching the rentier class get another bung with the stamp duty cut, etc.

Edited July 4, 2021 by gamezone07

[El Cid 214]

4 hours ago, apelike said:

And there's me thinking you were a socialist!

Is there no poverty trap in a socialists world?

[Thirsty Relic 209]

So people who have to pack up work due to ill health before they get state pension will have to pay for medicine, despite not earning?