Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
441. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will review the existence of in-patient charges for cancer patients as requested by the Irish Cancer Society as cancer patients are financially pressured by virtue of their illness. [49031/21]
View answerThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services. All persons, irrespective of illness or condition, accessing public in-patient (including day case) services in a public hospital are liable for the statutory in-patient daily charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 in any period of 12 consecutive months, subject to a number of exemptions which include;
- medical card holders;
- people receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases - including Coronavirus (Covid-19);
- people who are subject to 'long-stay' charges;
- children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations;
- people who are eligible for hospital services because of EU Regulations;
- women receiving maternity services;
- children up to 6 weeks of age;
- people with hepatitis C who have a Health Amendment Card;
- people who are part of the Redress Scheme for Women Resident in Certain Institutions.
It should be noted that patient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
There are no immediate plans to review the list of exemptions to this statutory in-patient charge. However, in line with commitments made in the Department of Health Statement of Strategy and the Slaintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023, a review of the eligibility and charges system is planned.
The main objective of Sláintecare is to provide the right care, at the right place, at the right time. Eligibility and some charges have been highlighted as an obstacle to a patient’s access to swift high-quality healthcare. The Sláintecare program is committed to addressing any eligibility anomalies through investigating the current eligibility structure. Sláintecare’s aim is to shift the system to care for those who are in greatest need first.
