asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a publication on the health services in Ireland regarding eligibility for general medical services; if he is aware that an insured person on disability benefit who makes application for a medical card before admission to hospital is admitted to the benefits of the general medical service, while an applicant in similar circumstances who is hospitalised for a similar period and who makes application for benefit on admission to hospital on the ISA form is charged 10/- per day; and if he will advise the managers of health authorities to make application forms for the general medical service readily available to hospitals and institutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Treatment Charges.
62.
Mr. O'Malley
If a patient's circumstances as to means are such as to qualify him for free hospital treatment he should get that treatment free whether he already has a medical card or not.
The Deputy is technically wrong in suggesting that insured workers who need hospital treatment should apply for a medical card. A medical card indicates that the holder's name is included in the register of persons who are entitled to avail themselves of the general practitioner service. Claimants for hospital services under the Act must complete an ISA form and this applies to medical card holders as well as to those in the middle income group. Where the patient holds a medical card no investigation as to means is necessary as this has already been done. In the case of other applicants the position as to means is investigated and the rate of charge determined. This may be nothing or a rate not exceeding 10/- per day for an insured person.
A person may, of course, apply at any time for a medical card but to apply for such a card in addition to completing the ISA form on admission to hospital should not influence the decision as to whether the patient's hospital treatment should be free or at some rate of charge up to 10/- per day.
If the Deputy has evidence to the contrary, I should be glad if he would send me particulars.
Obviously, the Minister is not aware that in some hospitals the practice is as stated in my question. It does not apply in Meath or in Drogheda, but it does apply in a number of hospitals. Would the Minister give me an assurance that what he says in his reply will not affect the eligibility of persons for free treatment, whether they have a medical card or not, providing the ISA investigation shows that everything is in order?
Mr. O'Malley
Certainly, I will give the Deputy that assurance; but I should be obliged if the Deputy would give me the names of the health authorities which carry on this practice.
I shall be glad to.