asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that in many cases old age pensioners who hold medical cards have their pension books taken from them by the authorities when they enter hospital; and whether, in view of the fact that the medical card should cover free treatment and maintenance in hospital, he will ensure that in future these patients shall not have the whole or part of their old age pension taken in payment for hospital care.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Old Age Pensioners in Hospitals.
35.
Mr. O'Malley
Old age pensioners who hold medical cards are entitled to receive hospital treatment free of charge. The question of making a deduction from an old age pension arises only when the pensioner is in receipt of institutional assistance, that is, shelter and maintenance in a health institution. A health authority may require persons receiving such assistance to contribute out of so much of their income as exceeds 10/- a week, such sum as the authority considers appropriate, towards the cost of providing that assistance. As far as the Dublin Health Authority is concerned, I understand that it is the practice to allow old age pensioners in receipt of institutional assistance, as distinct from hospital treatment, to retain, in addition to 10/- a week, a sum sufficient to meet rent and similar standing expenses.
In my review of the health services generally, this aspect will also be studied with a view to removing any doubts which may exist.