Bernard J. Durkan
Question:198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if cancer patients are likely to receive medical cards for an indefinite duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23184/02]
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means. Under the Health Act, 1970 determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board other than for persons aged 70 and over, who are automatically eligible for a medical card. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
Income guidelines are drawn up to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. 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 or 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.
Persons suffering from specified conditions, including acute leukaemia, who are not already medical card holders may obtain, without charge, drugs and medicines for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme. There are no plans at this time to amend this scheme to include persons with other forms of cancer.
Since the implementation of the national cancer strategy over €103 million has been invested in the development of appropriate treatment and care services for people with cancer. Since 1997 approval has issued for 80 additional consultant posts with support staff. An additional sum of €29 million is being allocated in 2003 for cancer ser vices. This investment will ensure that next year we continue to address increasing demands in cancer services in such areas as oncology-haematology services, oncology drug treatments and symptomatic breast disease services.
The issue of eligibility was considered in the context of the national health strategy, Quality and Fairness, A Health System For You. The strategy outlines a number of measures designed to improve eligibility for health services which the Government has committed itself to introducing over a number of years. Amongst the measures proposed is an increase in access to medical cards. In addition to the recent extension of eligibility to all persons aged 70 years and over, the strategy includes a commitment that significant improvements will be made in the income guidelines in order to increase the number of persons on low incomes who are eligible for a medical card and to give priority to families with children, particularly children with a disability.