We’re fighting this for 12 months... it’s a long time
NOREEN Keane has been fighting to retain her son’s medical card for more than a year and said yesterday’s development had left the situation ‘as clear as mud’.
Noreen’s eight-year-old son Ronan Woodhouse has Down syndrome and 13 other associated medical conditions for which he requires up to 20 GP visits per year. He is also on several medications.
Despite being a one-income family, Ms Keane lost the medical card in September after going through a review process and two appeals.
She received a GP visit card in March, but she has vowed to continue to fight for Ronan’s medical card as it is ‘immoral’ to take cards away from sick children.
Ms Keane, who is from Co. Clare, said of the Government’s stance: ‘It’s as clear as mud. It’s not telling us anything and there has been no communication with the majority of parents that I have been in contact with. They’re saying there’s a legal issue in giving them back. As I said, where is the legality in taking them?
‘My question now is, do I need to reapply? I welcome that there appears to be some positive moves for some families but they’re talking about fairness so where does fairness begin and end?
‘I would call on the Government to reinstate all the discretionary medical cards that were taken during the review process.
‘If they have acknowledged they made a mistake, surely the best thing to do is give the cards back and change the legislation.’
And she said of her own family’s situation, ‘We’re fighting this 12 months now. It is a long time.’