Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
614. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of delays some cancer patients are facing when getting a medical card; what measures he is taking to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7776/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold.
The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card - in particular, to take full account of difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In such circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, for example:
• Discretionary medical cards issued to patients with significant medical expenses but who do not satisfy the means test.
• Emergency medical cards are issued within 24 hours to patients that are terminally ill, or are seriously ill, and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford.
• Medical cards issued to patients who are terminally ill with a prognosis of 24 months or less do not require subsequent means assessment and are never reviewed.
Separately, since 2015, medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer.
The HSE has confirmed to my Department that fully completed new Medical Card applications are processed within a 15 working day turnaround. People who are subject to an eligibility review continue to hold eligibility until the application assessment is finalised.
I can assure the Deputy that, to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any changes are considered in the context of Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and other issues which may be relevant.
