Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019
416. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the conditions which are eligible for the long-term illness scheme; his plans to review the scheme with a view to adding more conditions to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39820/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra417. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason Crohn's disease is not eligible for the long-term illness scheme; his plans to review the scheme with a view to adding more conditions to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39821/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.
The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of thalidomide.
Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme at this time. However, I wish to inform the Deputy that the LTI Scheme will be included as part of a review of the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
For people who are not eligible for the LTI Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €124 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
