Vol. 537 No. 1
126 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the inequity caused by different discretion being utilised from health board area to health board area when decisions on medical card applications are being made; and if he will clarify exactly the issues officers can take account of when making decisions. [15436/01]
The determination of the eligibility of persons for medical cards is, by legislation, a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. In reaching the decision, regard is had to income guidelines, which are adjusted annually in line with the consumer price index, and to the medical, surgical and other needs of the applicant. It is worth emphasising that the income guidelines are not statutorily binding and a card can always be issued to any person who, in the opinion of the chief executive, is unable to provide medical services for themselves and his or her dependants without undue hardship.
I am not aware of the existence of any inequity in this area. If the Deputy is aware of a specific case, she should revert to me with the details and I will have the matter investigated.
127 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children when the application forms for persons over 70 years of age who will qualify for medical cards will be available; and if the qualified people will still get their medical cards if these are not returned before 1 July 2001 from 1 July 2000. [15439/01]
128 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements which are in place for those people over 70 years of age who will qualify for a medical card from 1 July 2001 whose current doctor does not have a GMS list; and if it is possible for their doctors to continue to treat their current patients. [15440/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together.
Health boards are in the process of ensuring that straightforward application and appropriate administrative procedures are in place for the processing of applications for medical cards by persons aged 70 years before the due date of 1 July 2001. In that context, the actual design of the application form is being examined with a view to preparing a more simplified one having regard to the automatic eligibility nature of the budget provision. The forthcoming public information campaign will include details of application procedures and how eligible persons will benefit under the scheme from the due date.
Negotiations are also in hand with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union on the subject of the implementation of the budget provision to ensure that the measure is implemented in an agreed and timely manner. These negotiations will be concerned, in part, with ensuring that GPs and pharmacists play an active and positive role in advising benefitting persons on how they can effectively access these new entitlements. The negotiations will also deal with the issue of non-GMS doctors with eligible patients.
