Willie Penrose
Question:144 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will consider including Fibro Myalgia as part of its long-term illness scheme. [17140/04]
View answerThursday, 3 June 2004
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Under the 1970 Health Act, a health board may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition under the scheme. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness for people under 16 years only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. At present there are no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions.
Other schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the CEO of the relevant health board. In determining eligibility, a CEO has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. Where a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may be awarded if the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify it. Medical cards may also be issued to family members on this basis. Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered by long-term illness scheme, can avail of the drugs payment scheme. Under the scheme no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.