andMr. Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason for the reduction in the number of persons covered by medical cards in County Mayo from 68,645 to 63,834 during the year 1985.
Written Answers. - Medical Card Eligibility.
26.
The determination of eligibility for medical cards in individual cases is a matter for the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. In each health board area, medical cards already in issue are subject to regular review in order to ensure that all holders of cards continue to be entitled to such medical cards in compliance with the terms of the Health Act, 1970.
As a result of these reviews, some cards are withdrawn due to changes which have occurred in the financial and social circumstances of those who previously held them.
A computer based medical card review update system was introduced by the Western Health Board in late 1984. In 1985 this new computerised system facilitated a more through and complete review of medical cards in issue than would have previously been possible. A net total of 1,189 medical cards were withdrawn in 1985 in respect of County Mayo. These cards represented a coverage of 4,811 persons in all.