Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2014
154. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health her views that the practice of reviewing medical cards in the case of lifelong illness or disability, in order to avoid situations whereby applicants are asked whether they still suffer from what they have already told the Department is a lifelong condition, such as Down's syndrome, should cease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39525/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Health Act 1970, as amended, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. The determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE and the HSE reserves the right to review eligibility at any point in time to confirm that a person continues to meet the qualifying criteria required to continue holding eligibility.
Under the review process, applicants are not asked if they - or a family member - still has a lifelong condition or illness as medical cards are not awarded based on a medical condition and, in this regard, such like questions would be neither pertinent nor appropriate.
However, the HSE is obliged under the review process to ensure that full account is taken of any costs that a family may have that arise from a change in their circumstances, perhaps an exacerbation of an illness or a secondary illness. Any questions on change in circumstances refer to the resultant financial impact and do no not refer to a person still having the particular life-long condition or particular illness.
