Michael Noonan
Question:316 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will include obstructive lung disease as one of the long-term illnesses for medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27606/98]
Written Answers. - Long-Term Illness Scheme.
Question:
322 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will include Addison's disease as part of the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27706/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 322 together.
I presume the Deputy is asking if obstructive lung disease can be included on the long-term illness scheme, as eligibility for a medical card is based on the financial circumstances of the applicant and not their medical condition. The long-term illness scheme entitles persons to free drugs and medicines which are prescribed in respect of a specific schedule of illnesses. The illnesses covered by this scheme are; mental handicap, mental illness of persons under 16 years, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism and acute leukaemia.
The long-term illness scheme has not been extended since 1975 and there are no plans to change the scheme or to expand the number of illnesses covered by the scheme, having regard to the fact that the needs of individuals with significant or ongoing medical expenses are being met by a range of other schemes which provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines.
The drug cost subsidisation scheme caters for people who do not have a medical card or a long-term illness book and are certified as having a medical condition with regular and on-going requirement for prescribed drugs and medicines. Persons who qualify for inclusion in this scheme will not have to spend more than £32 in any month on prescribed medication.
Under the drugs refund scheme which covers expenditure by the whole family, any expenditure on prescribed medication above £90 in a calendar quarter is refunded by the health board.
As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced the merger of the DCSS and DRS schemes into a new drugs payment scheme to come into effect on 1 March 1999. Under the new scheme, no family or individual will have to pay more than £42 per month for prescribed medicines.
Where an individual or a family is subjected to a significant level of on-going expenditure on medical expenses, such as general practitioner fees or prescribed drugs due to a long-term medical condition, these expenses may be reckoned in determining eligibility for a medical card. In determining eligibility, the local health board will have regard to the financial circumstances of the applicant. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board to dicide.
I am satisfied that appropriate and comprehensive support is being provided by the State through the existing range of schemes for people with long-term medical conditions.