1,000 signatures reached
To: Mr Simon Harris
Remove prescription charges for homeless people
Change legislation so that homeless people do not pay prescription charges.
Why is this important?
Homeless people suffer more ill health than the housed population and therefore have a higher need for prescription medication.
Many homeless people cannot afford the €2.50 prescription charge payable on every item. Homeless health services repeatedly come across homeless patients who cannot afford their medication and so may not complete a course of antibiotics or take heparin for a clot. They often end up in hospital because of this.
Homeless people are registered with local authorities and therefore it is possible to identify individuals so they are exempt from this charge.
Many homeless people cannot afford the €2.50 prescription charge payable on every item. Homeless health services repeatedly come across homeless patients who cannot afford their medication and so may not complete a course of antibiotics or take heparin for a clot. They often end up in hospital because of this.
Homeless people are registered with local authorities and therefore it is possible to identify individuals so they are exempt from this charge.