Written Answers Nos. 1178-1198
1178. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding surgery at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when they will be scheduled for the procedure. [46711/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
1179. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a figure for the savings his Department made in 2013 from persons who held discretionary medical cards which were revoked by the Health Service Executive when they were up for renewal but which were then reinstated on review and or appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46713/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1180. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the position regarding proposals submitted to the Health Service Executive for the upgrading of three facilities in County Mayo (details supplied) in line with the Health Information Quality Authority recommendations; the projected timeframe for the completion of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46719/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1181. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the assessment he has made, as a result of the implications of population or census results and analyses for Cork city, regarding the provision of health and social services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46724/13]
View answerIn recent years the delivery of services in the community has been reconfigured to meet population health needs. This has involved the development of Primary Care Teams (PCTs) to ensure the delivery of services by multidisciplinary teams. In 2012, the HSE completed a detailed analysis of the numbers and distribution of public health nurses, registered general nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The analysis revealed considerable variation across the HSE’s 17 Integrated Service Areas in ratios of health care professionals to population, and to population numbers in areas of high deprivation. I issued approval to the HSE on the 27th March 2013 to commence recruitment to Primary Care Teams with immediate effect in respect of an additional 251 Primary Care posts. The allocation and distribution of these posts is based on bringing each Integrated Service Area, where staffing is below the national average, towards the national average.
With respect to the Deputy's specific question regarding Cork City, I have requested that the HSE respond directly. The provision of Social services is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
1182. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the money needed to upgrade the country's maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46731/13]
View answerThe management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore, your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
1185. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health if the rental of BiPAP devices used to treat sleep apnoea are covered by the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46735/13]
View answerThe cost of rental of BiPAP devices, used to treat sleep apnoea, is covered by the Drug Payments Scheme.
1186. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he or his officials have had discussions with officials from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the possible impact of the proposed new EirGrid high voltage power line systems on public health; if he, or his officials, have raised any concerns regarding any possible impact on persons living in the vicinity of such power lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46743/13]
View answerMy Department has no function in respect of any aspect of the matter of potential health effects of electromagnetic radiation. The responsibility for such matters rests with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Department of Communications, Energy and National Resources has confirmed that Eirgrid follows best international practice in respect of transmission infrastructure developments and in this regard adheres to international guidelines for exposure to electromagnetic radiation developed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
1187. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if there is a cap on the amount that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13, on a medical card, will have to pay in prescription charges per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46746/13]
View answerAs announced in Budget 2014, it has become necessary to increase the prescription charge due to the very difficult and challenging economic environment which requires the Government to achieve additional savings in health expenditure with €666 million of savings targeted in 2014. The increase in prescription charges will account for €43 million of this target. The Government is committed to achieving these savings while protecting front line services to the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible.
Medical card holders will be required to pay a €2.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. These new rates will be effective from 1 December 2013.
1188. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has been informed that they are not entitled to a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46750/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
1191. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of all changes made to the assessment of means and other criteria in relation to the medical card and general practitioner card schemes, including discretionary medical cards, since March 2011; if the full details of the scheme as now operated is now available on his Department’s website; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46756/13]
View answerChanges to eligibility criteria for a medical card or a GP visit card since March 2011 are detailed as follows. Under Budget 2013, the income thresholds for an over-70s medical card were adjusted to €600 gross income per week for a single person, and €1,200 gross income per week for a couple. Those persons over 70 with a weekly income of €600-€700 for a single person and €1,200 to €1,400 for a couple qualified for GP visit card. The eligibility criteria relating to the standard medical card means test assessment was amended by removing home improvement loan payments and excluding the first €50 per week from travel to work expenses, such as depreciation, but leaving the mileage element unaffected.
With regard to cards awarded on a discretionary basis, at the request of Minister Reilly, the HSE set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards, where income guidelines have been exceeded but difficult personal circumstances, such as an illness, exist. This panel was established as part of the centralisation of the medical processing which was completed in July 2011. In previous years, there was a decentralised process which meant there could be inequities throughout the country and discretionary medical cards may have been awarded in some parts of the country and not in others due to the lack of a centralised standardised approach. Since this centralised approach, there has been no change to the assessment process for discretionary medical cards and the scheme continues to operate in such a way that those who suffer genuine financial hardship as a result of a medical condition receive the benefit of a medical card. There is a link on the Department’s website to the HSE website (www.hse.ie ) where all information on the medical card scheme is available.
1192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if in the event of a person losing the medical card while in hospital, the person in question is liable for the inpatient charge from the day the card is lost; if so, if there is an obligation on the Health Service Executive or the hospital in question to inform the patient of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46757/13]
View answerAll medical card applicants are informed, by letter, of the outcome of their application and persons' eligibility is not removed without having been informed of such a decision. Those who are unsuccessful are given an explanation of the decision, including a detailed financial breakdown. The unsuccessful applicants are informed of their right to seek a review of the decision by the PCRS or to appeal the decision to the HSE Appeals Office. Where a person, who previously held a valid medical card or GP visit card submits an appeal to a decision not to renew a medical card within 21 days of that decision, the card previously held is reactivated once the HSE (PCRS) is informed of the appeal by the Appeals Office.
In the unlikely event that a person's eligibility expired without his/her knowledge and that person was taken suddenly ill and required hospitalisation, PCRS would try to accommodate the immediate needs of the individual. If this were to amount to a change in circumstances, the individual could have his/her application reviewed by PCRS, once he/she informs the HSE of the circumstances.
1193. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if any allegation has been made to him or the Health Service Executive that private orthodontists working on part-time contracts in the public service for the HSE examining children’s teeth are referring children to their own practices for treatment; if he approves of such conduct; if not, the action taken to eliminate this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46758/13]
View answerI am unaware of any such allegations. I have sought information from the HSE on this issue and will write to the Deputy in due course.
1194. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the increased rise in health insurance costs arising from budget 2014, he will set out the steps he proposes to take to reduce the cost of health insurance; if he will reduce the health levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46774/13]
View answerIn Budget 2014, the Minister for Finance announced a cap on tax relief on premia for private health insurance, whereby tax relief for medical insurance premiums will be restricted to the first €1,000 per adult and the first €500 per child insured. Any portion of premium paid in excess of these ceilings will no longer qualify for tax relief. It is also important to note that the measure is projected to save the Exchequer €94m in 2014 and €127m in a full year. Pricing of insurance premiums is a matter for insurers. In terms of potential increases in premia that might arise from this measure, it is up to each insurer to contain its own costs and to compete actively on the basis of price.
With regard to health insurance costs generally, I have consistently emphasised the vital need to address the rising cost of private health insurance and the necessity for all private health insurers to address their cost base aggressively. Last year, I established the Consultative Forum on Health Insurance to generate ideas to address health insurance costs. In June of this year, I appointed an independent Chairperson, Mr. Pat McLoughlin, who will work with my Department and the insurers on a review process to give effect to real cost reductions in the private health insurance market. Work on this review process is progressing well and I expect to receive an initial report from the Chair very shortly.
Each year, at my request, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) prepares the Report of The Health Insurance Authority to the Minister for Health, in accordance with Section 7E (1)(b) of the Health Insurance Acts, 1994 – 2012. The Authority submitted its most recent report to me in October 2013. This Report sets out the HIA’s evaluation and analysis of information returns supplied by insurers, their analysis of market issues and, arising from their expert analysis, the Authority's recommendations for Risk Equalisation Credits and associated Stamp Duty to apply for the following year. I am currently considering the recommendations from the HIA in respect of the rates of risk equalisation credits and stamp duty to apply from 1 March 2014. In the interim, it is important to note that this stamp duty, or health levy as referred to by the Deputy, collected from health insurers is in respect of the number of lives insured by them and is not placed on individual policy holders. The money collected is used to fund tax credits for older people with private health insurance who, if under a risk rated model of insurance, would be charged a higher premium for health insurance than younger people, given their higher risk profile. Funding the tax credit for older people ensures that everybody is charged the same premium for a particular health insurance plan, irrespective of age, gender and the current or likely future state of their health.
It is a matter for the insurance companies as to the extent, if any, they pass the stamp duty on to their customers. The Government remains committed to keeping down the cost of health insurance, so that it is affordable for as many people as possible, as part of measures to ensure the sustainability of the private health insurance market in the transition to Universal Health Insurance.
1195. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if, in the interests of transparency and informed public debate, he will publish the report of the Health Insurance Authority on risk equalisation in advance of making a decision on the 2014 health levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46775/13]
View answer1196. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he intends to implement the recommendations to alleviate the cost of health insurance for younger members as set out in the Health Insurance Authority Report on Risk Equalisation which he received in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46776/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1195 and 1196 together.
Each year, at my request, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) prepares the Report of The Health Insurance Authority to the Minister for Health, in accordance with Section 7E (1)(b) of the Health Insurance Acts, 1994 – 2012. The Authority submitted its most recent report to me in October 2013. These Reports set out the HIA’s evaluation and analysis of information returns supplied by insurers, their analysis of market issues and, arising from their expert analysis, the Authority's recommendations for Risk Equalisation Credits and associated Stamp Duty to apply for the following year.
In setting the rates for Risk Equalisation Credits, following consultation with the Minister for Finance, I must have regard to the Principal Objective of the Health Insurance Act (as amended), which is to ensure that access to health insurance cover is available to consumers with no differentiation between them, in particular as regards the cost of health services, based on health risk status, age or sex. I must also have regard to the aims of:
- avoiding overcompensation of registered undertakings or former undertakings,
- maintaining the sustainability of the private health insurance market,
- having fair and open competition in the market and
- avoiding the Risk Equalisation Fund having a surplus or deficit from year to year.
In addition to recommendations for Risk Equalisation Credits and associated Stamp Duty, the HIA Report also provides an evaluation and analysis of commercial insurers' returns for the twelve month period of the previous July to June and such other matters that the Authority considers ought to be brought to my attention.
The 2012 Report, to which the Deputy refers, recommended the approach of setting lower stamp duties and credits for non-advanced cover products, compared with advanced cover products, in order to help maintain the attractiveness of these products to younger customers entering the health insurance market and thereby supporting the sustainability of the market. I accepted this recommendation and a lower rate of stamp duty and credits for non-advanced products was introduced with effect from 31 March 2013. My Department will continue to oversee the maintenance of a competitive and sustainable private health insurance market and to monitor developments on an ongoing basis, including the consideration of measures necessary to keep health insurance affordable for younger members, to ensure that the market is regulated appropriately in the transition to a market-based Universal Health Insurance system.
The HIA Reports are very detailed and include substantial market sensitive data. The 2012 Report was published in redacted form on the Department’s website earlier this year. My Department, in conjunction with the HIA, will publish a redacted version of the 2013 Report in due course.
1197. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if cannabis is a proven and recognised medicine throughout the world in treating cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's patients; and if the World Health Organisation supports that position. [46777/13]
View answerCannabis is designated as a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products are unlawful except for the purposes of research. My Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for a number of medical issues, including for nausea and vomiting in the advanced stages of illnesses such as cancer and AIDS, for treatment of asthma and glaucoma, as an antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-spasmodic. My Department is not aware of the World Health Organisation's position on the matter.
Notwithstanding the Government’s reluctance to loosen the controls on cannabis generally, Department officials have engaged with experts on how authorised cannabis-based medicinal products for patients may be legally prescribed by medical practitioners and used by patients. Draft Regulations are being finalised and it is anticipated that they will be introduced early next year.
1198. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will act on the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding GP cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46778/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
