Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
609. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the circumstances regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; if he will review the cessation of the medical card in November 2013 and ensure that a medical card will be issued; if schizophrenia and-or schizo-affective disorder is an illness which qualifies for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25235/14]
View answerUnder the Health Act, 1970, eligibility for a medical card is founded primarily on the undue financial hardship test and every application must be assessed on that basis. Under the legislation, determination of an individual’s eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE. The 1970 Health Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and their family, having regard to their overall financial situation and reasonable expenditure.
The legislation is clear that qualification for a medical card is means-tested. Medical cards are not awarded - nor have they ever been - on the basis of a particular illness or disease. Medical cards are not issued 'automatically' - or irrespective of means - even if an applicant is suffering from a serious medical condition or a life long condition.
While there is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with specific illnesses, or with a disability, the HSE has discretion to award a medical card to avoid undue hardship, having regard to person’s or the family’s overall financial situation, even where the person’s income exceeds the income guidelines. The HSE is obliged to operate within the legal parameters as set out in the Health Act, while also responding to the variety of circumstances and complexities faced by individuals who apply for a medical card.
However, the Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility and has been asked to make an early report to Government.
In this context, the HSE has suspended reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.
The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine the specifics of 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.
