asked the Minister for Health if medical cards will be issued to patients suffering from any form of long duration asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Asthma Patients.
160.
At present some 40 per cent of asthma patients are covered by medical cards and, therefore, receive all their prescribed drugs and general practitioner services entirely free of charge. Significant ongoing medical expenses are reckoned in determining eligibility for medical card cover. In the case of a family a medical card can be issued to one member of the family only, where appropriate.
Persons whose income precludes such eligibility can avail of the benefits of the drugs refund scheme. The scheme ensures that the net expenditure on prescribed drugs and medicines for an individual or a family does not exceed £28 per month. Persons insured with the VHI can avail of the benefits applicable to their particular policy. Income tax relief is also available in regard to medical expenses.
Medical cards can only be issued to persons who satisfy the criterion of hardship, in that they cannot provide general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants without incurring an undue degree of hardship. The issue of medical cards is a statutory responsibility of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board.