Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1018. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the planned report on implementing automatic renewal of medical cards for the terminally ill will be published; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21176/20]
View answer1090. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the clinical advisory group into medical cards for the terminally ill will issue a final report; the number of times the group has met; his views on extending the medical card entitlement to terminally ill patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21353/20]
View answer1091. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of extending a full medical card to all terminally ill patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21354/20]
View answer1199. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of medical cards for persons with a terminal illness; the estimated cost of providing medical cards for persons with a terminal illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21566/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1018, 1090, 1091 and 1199 together.
The data required to model the cost of the provision of medical cards to all patients suffering from a terminal illness is not readily available. The cost would be dependent on a number of factors including,the number of additional applications made to the HSE, the timescale within which these are made and the number of applicants who are deemed eligible.
However, it should be noted that the HSE has a system in place for the provision of medical cards for persons who are terminally ill and are receiving end of life treatment i.e. persons with a prognosis of less than 12 months. These medical cards are issued within 24 hours of receipt of the required medical report and a completed application form from a healthcare professional. Once these cards are awarded they are not reassessed by the HSE.
