Gay Mitchell
Question:58 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 will have to pay hospital charges in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10913/98]
Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.
: Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means and there are two categories of eligibility. Persons in category 1 are medical card holders and they are entitled to a full range of public health services free of charge. Persons in category 2 — non-medical card holders — have limited eligibility for health services, including an entitlement to public hospital and public consultant treatment subject only to modest statutory charges.
Under the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations, 1987, as amended by the Health (In-Patient Charges)(Amendment) Regulations, 1997, a person is liable for a statutory charge unless otherwise exempt, in respect of in-patient public hospital services. This charge is currently set at £25 per night, subject to a maximum payment in any twelve month period of £250, which can be accrued in one or more public hospitals. Since the person concerned has already been billed for £225 she would only be billed a further £25 in respect of public treatment within the twelve month period.
Public hospital statutory charges are based on the principle that those who can afford to do so are required to make a contribution towards the cost of providing hospital services. There are number of exemptions to the charges including medical card holders. Furthermore, the charge may be waived in respect of an individual if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, payment would cause undue hardship.