Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
1090. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the statement by a consultant neurologist (details supplied) at Beaumont Hospital that half of motor neurone disease patients in need of discretionary medical cards are seeing their applications turned down by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46079/13]
View answerUnder the relevant legislation, there is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with specific illnesses. The HSE has, however, discretion to award a medical card to avoid undue hardship, even where the person exceeds the income guidelines. At Minister Reilly's request, the HSE set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards, where a person exceeds the income guidelines but there are difficult personal circumstances, such as an illness.
The processing of medical cards at a national level, rather than at a local level as before mid-2011, ensures that all people are assessed in a similar and fair manner when applying for a medical card. The consideration of discretion is now standardised and operates in an equitable manner. The medical card scheme is now underpinned with a stronger foundation which enables better governance, more transparency and efficient modern processes. Under these processes, nobody who is entitled to a medical card will lose it or be refused one.
