Parliamentary Question for Alex White TD
For WRITTEN ANSWER on 17th June 2014
1:To ask the Minister for Health if he will include spinal cord injuries as one of the conditions that will qualify for a medical card under the new regime that will take account of medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2:To ask the Minister for Health if he will include 22Q syndrome and other congenital conditions as qualifying for a medical card under the new regime that will take account of medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Answer:
I propose to take both questions together.
The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of ongoing medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as part of this process and has been asked to make an early report to Government.
In this context, the HSE has suspended reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.
The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.