Brendan Howlin
Question:116 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to award medical cards to adopted children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Under the 1970 Health Act, the determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.
Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility. These guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, that person may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this.
In view of the discretionary powers of the chief executive officers to issue medical cards, I am satisfied that no one is denied essential health services due to inability to pay. In these circumstances it would not be justifiable to extend the medical card scheme to a specific group without any regard to their means.