Vol. 483 No. 6
280 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the benefits, if any, for which his Department affords preferentially to families or individuals who hold medical cards compared to the rest of the population. [21230/97]
Under the Health Act, 1970, 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 medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.
Medical card holders are entitled to the full range of public health services free of charge. This entitlement includes general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, all out-patient public hospital services and dental ophthalmic and aural services and applicances. Medical card holders are exempt from the health contribution payable under the Health Contributions Act, 1979.
