David Cullinane
Ceist:1436. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the cost of healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 June 2022
Ceisteanna (1436)
Freagraí scríofa
The Irish Public Health System provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e., full eligibility (medical cards) and limited eligibility.
Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended).
Individuals with full eligibility can access a range of services including General Practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultant services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultant services, dental, ophthalmic, and aural services, aids and appliances, and maternity and infant care services.
A General Practitioner (GP) visit card provides for eligible individuals to visit a participating GP service without fees and also covers visits to GP out-of-hours service.
The Government is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable and has introduced several reductions in the cost of healthcare.
On 1 November 2020, prescription charges under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme were reduced as follows:
- For persons over 70, the charges were reduced to €1 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €10 per person or family per month.
- For persons under 70, the charges were reduced to €1.50 per item with a maximum monthly charge of €15 per person or family.
In November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1,050 for a couple. This increase ensures that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over now qualify for a medical card.
In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.
In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card. Since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
It is my intention that the next stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, namely, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7, will be commenced this year. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are ongoing in this regard.
The Drug Payment Scheme (DPS) provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines or medical and surgical appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone normally resident in Ireland.
On 1 January 2022, the DPS threshold was reduced to €100 per month. On 1 March 2022, the DPS threshold was further reduced the DPS threshold to €80. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines. The combined effect of those two reductions in the DPS threshold will be an annual minimum saving of €408, or 30%, for any individual or household that regularly exceeded the 2021 threshold of €114. In addition, there have been almost 37,000 additional claimants under the DPS since these reductions were introduced.
The Long Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations prescribed 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. Prescription charges do not apply to persons who qualify for the LTI scheme.
A review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, is to be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. The current priority has been on access to GP services and a review of hospital charges.
Funding was provided in Budget 2022 for measures to alleviate the financial burden of statutory hospital charges incurred for children accessing care in a public hospital. This allocation of funding follows on from the commitment given in the Programme for Government to abolish statutory acute public in-patient charges for children over the lifetime of the Government. It is my intention to bring the necessary legislation before the Oireachtas this year.
Finally, individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.