Peter Barry
Question:25 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will have arrangements made to have medical cards issued to all sufferers of asthma. [3636/94]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility.
Under the 1970 Health Act, medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board are unable, without undue hardship, to provide general practitioner services for themselves and their dependants.
Income guidelines are available to assist chief executive officers in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. However, 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 would justify this.
In view of this special provision I do not think that it is justifiable to extend an automatic entitlement to a medical card to any specific group without any reference to their means particularly in view of the many areas of pressing need in the health services and the limited resources available to meet them.