Change free prescriptions to state pension age?

Leonora1

As a 62 year old I really appreciate my free prescriptions. At one time I would have been in receipt of my state pension and also had free bus travel. Our generation already have to work longer, for me 7 years than the previous generation. Please don't penalise us anymore than the government already has.

Well said.
People are having to wait ever longer for their pension. Before too long will be 68 and by the time my grown kids retire will be in the seventies. And though many people may be healthier and live longer not all do, heart disease, strokes, and cancer levels are increasing not decreasing, but people will be forced to work despite ill health in order to pay their bills with no help from a pension, add to that paying for meds.

Leonoral and Babs
All very true. It is incredibly hard for the people who are having to work years longer than they should be.

some of the medications I take are for diabetes which is exempt. It always struck me as unfair that I also got everything else free, such as antibiotics if I had an infection, even if it was not connected to my underlying conditions. I would not have objected to paying for them.

I agree with jocork. I've never paid a prescription charge as I'm exempt because I have diabetes. Of course it may be more expensive to differentiate between drugs necessary for a long term condition and others, but it always seems unfair that I also get everything else free.

MissAdventure

I think it is too complex to work out fairly, really.

I'm thinking that whilst cancer meds are free, lots of people are left with health issues caused by the cancer, or the chemo.
There will be people who are on the cusp, with regards to free prescriptions, and people who have far worse problems than pensioners.

It is unworkable, and I'm not convinced any savings would be worth it.

Totally agree with you.

Ilovecheese

I would rather this Government took something away from millionaires and billionaires, rather than people in need of medication.

This.

Me too. I have asthma, and not having to pay for inhalers saved me a fortune. I never understood why asthmatics don’t get free prescriptions when sufferers from other conditions do. Asthma kills.

Some people in real need will not get the meds that will keep them out of hospital so it sounds like a false economy.

SueDoku

Ilovecheese

I would rather this Government took something away from millionaires and billionaires, rather than people in need of medication.

This.

We will be told that millionaires and billionaires "pay a huge amount of tax already" - and in order for you / us to be put firmly in our place - that money helps to fund our public services, give us jobs, etc.

Obviously, they pay tax, and obviously compared to the rest of us - it's a large sum - that's after they've decided how to receive their income in order to minimise their tax burden.

For example, a wealthy business owner can choose to pay himself dividends rather than a wage.

They can also allow the value of an asset to accrue prior to selling it because 'unrealised' capital gains are usually not taxed - another method the they use to build up wealth and avoid tax.

There are many ways in which these millionaires and billionaires can make sure they are under-taxed.

Then of course we will be told that if we make them pay more tax, they will just move to another low-tax country, taking their businesses with them and setting up shop somewhere else, creating further unemployment.

Proportionally the rich often end up paying less tax on their income and wealth than the average person.

So it's not going to happen. After all, who has the clout to make sure their income is protected? The wealthy elite - or pensioners just above the pension credit limit?

And, not only that. Most - or many - people seem to think that this is the natural order of things, they accept the inequality between rich and poor... that's life they say with a shrug.

Anyone who questions this inequality is thought of as a socialist, hard-left, or even a communist - and often accused of simply being envious. Well, I'm not any of these, but I do question why...

By 2023, the richest 50 families in the UK held more wealth than half of the UK population, comprising 33.5 million people. If the wealth of the super rich continues to grow at the rate it has been, by 2035, the wealth of the richest 200 families will be larger than the whole UK GDP.
(Source: The Equality Trust)

If pension credit levels were increased if free prescriptions went, no one on lower incomes would be any worse off. A prescription 'season ticket' costs slightly over £2 a week and covers all your prescriptions, no matter how many you have.

A rise of £3 a week in PCwould do it. I would just get a season ticket and my pension is sufficient to absorb it. This applied to about 75% of all pensioners.

It would still differentiate between those who need regular drugs and those who don't. And the bus pass going would make little difference to drivers (or to Mick and Keith) but could mean that those just above PC level don't get out much.

I wrote to my local MP suggesting the same and he replied by saying it was a local council decision? really? Still a lost a waste that could be mopped up before they hit fuel allowance. Better housekeeping is required

My understanding is you can’t claim pension credit until you are pension age. Before this is universal credit?

Bucks

My understanding is you can’t claim pension credit until you are pension age. Before this is universal credit?

That is why it is called Pemsion Credit.

Doodledog

It would still differentiate between those who need regular drugs and those who don't. And the bus pass going would make little difference to drivers (or to Mick and Keith) but could mean that those just above PC level don't get out much.

No it wouldn's. The cost would be the same whether you were on one medication, 20 medications or occasional medication. Except that if you are on no regular medication, jusr occasional, it might be cheaper to pay as you go.

Although given the way doctors shell out prescriptions for high cholesterol, high blood pressur, indigestion and anything else they can think of there are precious few older people who do not have regular medication.

I was one of them until 18 months ago and for the last 20 years, whenever I had a contact with any medical facility away from the surgery staff would be quite incredulous that I was on no medication. The medication I do take was prescribed on the basis, and a very inadequate basis, that I just might have had a stroke. Now it has been proved quite conclusively that I didn't, I intend to contact my GP to stop taking them. Just in case they have to be phased out, rather than just stopped.

M0nica

Doodledog

It would still differentiate between those who need regular drugs and those who don't. And the bus pass going would make little difference to drivers (or to Mick and Keith) but could mean that those just above PC level don't get out much.

No it wouldn's. The cost would be the same whether you were on one medication, 20 medications or occasional medication. Except that if you are on no regular medication, jusr occasional, it might be cheaper to pay as you go.

Although given the way doctors shell out prescriptions for high cholesterol, high blood pressur, indigestion and anything else they can think of there are precious few older people who do not have regular medication.

I was one of them until 18 months ago and for the last 20 years, whenever I had a contact with any medical facility away from the surgery staff would be quite incredulous that I was on no medication. The medication I do take was prescribed on the basis, and a very inadequate basis, that I just might have had a stroke. Now it has been proved quite conclusively that I didn't, I intend to contact my GP to stop taking them. Just in case they have to be phased out, rather than just stopped.

High Cholesterol? Here's a prescription. Blood Pressure high? Take these tablets twice a day. Oh, Blood Sugar's high - take this medication. It's routine isn't it, more or less.

Of course, you will be given general advice to 'watch-your-diet' and cut down on this, that or the other.

The thing is, it's easier - and cheaper for the NHS I guess - to put people on medication rather than engage them with a change of lifestyle.

Because a change of lifestyle can be hard work. My OH managed to reverse his type 2 diabetes purely by diet and lifestyle changes a few years ago - but he fell off the wagon and now his blood sugar is all over the place.

A pre-payment certificate is £115 a year, or £32 for 3 months.

I realise that these sums are not high to those with a reasonable disposable income, but this is yet another example of how such people can fail to realise what they mean to those with just enough to get by, and who feel able to tell others what they can afford.

A small rise in PC might cover the cost, but at £3 a week extra, 10 weeks will go by before a three month certificate can be bought without dipping in to savings or money set aside for other things. Also, if someone has a tight week, with an extra bill or something breaking down, there could be no spare money at all, even with the extra £3. As it stands, prescriptions are free for over 60s, so whatever else people are going without, their health is looked after.

With all due respect, it may seem to you as though pensioners are treated like children, but that's because you don't have to think of every penny.

There's no need to raise current benefit thresholds slightly for people to obtain free prescription. The current threshold for an HC2 certificate is higher than it is for most means-tested benefits. This entitles the holder to free NHS prescriptions, dnetal treatmen, sight tests, a full value voucher for glasses and contact lenses and free wigs and fabric supports and travel to receive NHS treatment.

My income means I am above the threshold for pension credit, but I am entitled to an HS2 certificate. As I'm over 60, I receive free prescriptions anyway, but it does mean my NHS dental check ups and treatment are free, as are my prescribed glasses. I've never claimed transport to NHS appointments, as I use my bus pass for most of the journey, but I could claim fuel for the remainder of the journey.

PS. I don't feel that I'm treated as a child just because I know that my healthcare needs are free.

Dickens

M0nica

Doodledog

It would still differentiate between those who need regular drugs and those who don't. And the bus pass going would make little difference to drivers (or to Mick and Keith) but could mean that those just above PC level don't get out much.

No it wouldn's. The cost would be the same whether you were on one medication, 20 medications or occasional medication. Except that if you are on no regular medication, jusr occasional, it might be cheaper to pay as you go.

Although given the way doctors shell out prescriptions for high cholesterol, high blood pressur, indigestion and anything else they can think of there are precious few older people who do not have regular medication.

I was one of them until 18 months ago and for the last 20 years, whenever I had a contact with any medical facility away from the surgery staff would be quite incredulous that I was on no medication. The medication I do take was prescribed on the basis, and a very inadequate basis, that I just might have had a stroke. Now it has been proved quite conclusively that I didn't, I intend to contact my GP to stop taking them. Just in case they have to be phased out, rather than just stopped.

High Cholesterol? Here's a prescription. Blood Pressure high? Take these tablets twice a day. Oh, Blood Sugar's high - take this medication. It's routine isn't it, more or less.

Of course, you will be given general advice to 'watch-your-diet' and cut down on this, that or the other.

The thing is, it's easier - and cheaper for the NHS I guess - to put people on medication rather than engage them with a change of lifestyle.

Because a change of lifestyle can be hard work. My OH managed to reverse his type 2 diabetes purely by diet and lifestyle changes a few years ago - but he fell off the wagon and now his blood sugar is all over the place.

Lifestyle doesn't reverse all cases of high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I've had T2 diabetes for over 30 years, but never been overweight and have always eaten reasonably healthily and been active.

Doodledog A small rise in PC might cover the cost, but at £3 a week extra, 10 weeks will go by before a three month certificate can be bought without dipping in to savings or money set aside for other things. Also, if someone has a tight week, with an extra bill or something breaking down, there could be no spare money at all, even with the extra £3. As it stands, prescriptions are free for over 60s, so whatever else people are going without, their health is looked after.

With all due respect, it may seem to you as though pensioners are treated like children, but that's because you don't have to think of every penny.

This is why. Perfect answer.

Not everyone has the same income. Period.

I realise that these sums are not high to those with a reasonable disposable income, but this is yet another example of how such people can fail to realise what they mean to those with just enough to get by, and who feel able to tell others what they can afford.

This is so true, Doodledog, you've said it succinctly.

And, of course, this sum would be in addition to all the other sums - all those increases in the pipeline, rent (my cleaning lady has just been notified that she will have to pay £250 per month extra on her £1000 rent), energy, telecoms, food, etc.

So yes, £32 per month does not appear to be a huge amount - in isolation, but it's just one more price increase among many others.

Just how much more can people on low incomes continue to eke out of them.

My cleaning lady and her husband are going to cut back - cut back on what they've already cut-back on to date. They reward themselves with 10 days per year in a caravan on the coast. It used to be 2 weeks, but they cut back to 10 days, and now will reduce it to 7 days. I can see them eventually giving up the idea of an annual holiday all together. After all, it's a 'luxury' isn't it - they should just work for the remainder of their lives (they're both coming up to retirement age but cannot afford to retire) until they are too ill or old to carry on.

But, they are lucky - at least they've got something they can cut back on - but what then? What happens next year, and the year after, when there's nothing left to cut back?

It's always the same old story - financial crisis, black holes - all dealt with by taking from the poor and the just-about-managing.

Whilst the wealth-gap grows wider. And we listen to the howls of outrage regarding VAT on private schools because parents who can afford the, what, in excess of £60k per year - will have to pay another £2k or whatever. My cleaning lady will have to find another £3k per year just to keep the roof over her head. And yes, she has looked around for something cheaper, but there's very little available, and even if she moves, how long before the rent increases, yet again?

growstuff

There's no need to raise current benefit thresholds slightly for people to obtain free prescription. The current threshold for an HC2 certificate is higher than it is for most means-tested benefits. This entitles the holder to free NHS prescriptions, dnetal treatmen, sight tests, a full value voucher for glasses and contact lenses and free wigs and fabric supports and travel to receive NHS treatment.

My income means I am above the threshold for pension credit, but I am entitled to an HS2 certificate. As I'm over 60, I receive free prescriptions anyway, but it does mean my NHS dental check ups and treatment are free, as are my prescribed glasses. I've never claimed transport to NHS appointments, as I use my bus pass for most of the journey, but I could claim fuel for the remainder of the journey.

In that case, scrapping free prescriptions and adding £3 to pension credit wouldn't make a difference to the health of pensioners - all it would do is further disadvantage those who don't qualify for it, as means-testing invariably disadvantages people.

Doodledog

growstuff

There's no need to raise current benefit thresholds slightly for people to obtain free prescription. The current threshold for an HC2 certificate is higher than it is for most means-tested benefits. This entitles the holder to free NHS prescriptions, dnetal treatmen, sight tests, a full value voucher for glasses and contact lenses and free wigs and fabric supports and travel to receive NHS treatment.

My income means I am above the threshold for pension credit, but I am entitled to an HS2 certificate. As I'm over 60, I receive free prescriptions anyway, but it does mean my NHS dental check ups and treatment are free, as are my prescribed glasses. I've never claimed transport to NHS appointments, as I use my bus pass for most of the journey, but I could claim fuel for the remainder of the journey.

In that case, scrapping free prescriptions and adding £3 to pension credit wouldn't make a difference to the health of pensioners - all it would do is further disadvantage those who don't qualify for it, as means-testing invariably disadvantages people.

No, it wouldn't make any difference. If people aren't eligible for an HS2 certificate because their income and/or savings are too high, they certainly won't be eligible for Pension Credit. Incidentally, HS2 certificates are available to people of any age. The same arguments apply to HS2 certificates as Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits.

M0nica

If pension credit levels were increased if free prescriptions went, no one on lower incomes would be any worse off. A prescription 'season ticket' costs slightly over £2 a week and covers all your prescriptions, no matter how many you have.

A rise of £3 a week in PCwould do it. I would just get a season ticket and my pension is sufficient to absorb it. This applied to about 75% of all pensioners.

M0nica how many times does it need to be said that in order to benefit from your much quoted slightly over £2 a week to get a prescription season ticket, one must be in a position to stump up the full amount in advance? So your £3 a week rise in PC wouldn't make an iota of difference in the first year. It would seem your admitted healthy financial status somewhat blinds you to the reality of those on PC or just above the level of income necessary to receive it. I'm also financially healthy enough not to qualify for which I'm very grateful, but I do see and don't dismiss the problems for those less fortunate than me.

It seems to me that this thread is a little confused.

Even if people have to pay for prescriptions before state pension age, there are exemptions for people on low incomes who don't qualify for other benefits. As I wrote above, the threshold for an HS2 certificate is higher than other means-tested benefits and eligibility is calculated differently. It's not possible to give a single figure because the calculation is quite complicated, but I think it's roughly £14,000 a year, which is higher than the current cut-off for pension credit.