Vol. 544 No. 3
354 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the estimate for the cost of medical card cover for 2002 has been based on an estimate of the revision of income thresholds for qualification by the health boards; the change in the income thresholds due to indexation which has been assumed; and the monthly index which has been used. [29058/01]
Income guidelines to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility for the health services are revised annually in line with the consumer price index by the chief executives of the health boards or authority. However, the guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that his-her medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board if they are unable to provide health services for themselves or their dependants without hardship. The recent Book of Estimates takes account of this process as well as the recent extension of medical cards to people over the age of 70 years.
The Deputy may be aware that under the PPF, a commitment was given that the health board chief executive officers would examine the operation of the medical card scheme in consultation with the social partners. This review has been completed recently and I understand that the chief executive officers will present a report of their findings to my Department shortly.
