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Universal Health Insurance Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2013

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Questions (232)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

232. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding free general practitioner care to all children under five years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44084/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure.

The introduction of a universal GP service constitutes a fundamental element in the Government's health reform programme. The current Government is the first in the history of the State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population. A well functioning health system should provide equal access to healthcare for its patients on the basis of health needs, rather than ability to pay. The principles of universality and equity of access mean that all residents in Ireland should be entitled to access a GP services that is free at the point of use.

There has been no change in the policy by which eligibility for a medical card is assessed. Medical cards are provided to people who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. Assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and reasonable expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. There is also provision for discretion by the HSE to grant a card in cases of "undue hardship" where the income guidelines are exceeded. Such cases are decided by a qualified Medical Officer. Medical expenses are taken into account when assessing an application on hardship grounds.

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