Decision on medical cards for terminally ill welcomed by TD

THE decision of the government to expand access to medical cards, making them available to all those who are terminally ill and have a prognosis of up to 24 months, has been welcomed by Minister for State at the Department of Health and local FG TD Frank Feighan, pictured right. Announcing the move, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “A terminal diagnosis is undoubtedly devastating. The provision of a medical card can provide much-needed certainty and reassurance for individuals and their families during such a difficult time. Up to now, all those who have a prognosis of up to 12 months meet the ‘end of life’ criteria for eligibility for a medical card.

“This Government made a commitment in its Programme for Government to extend medical card eligibility in cases of terminal illness. As Minister for Health I am eager to deliver this change as quickly as possible. With government approval secured, I intend to direct the HSE to put in place arrangements to enable all those with a prognosis of up to 24 months to be eligible for a medical card.” Minister Frank Feighan clarified that this new arrangement will confer a benefit to patients with diagnoses across a range of specialties such as: neurology, cardiology, respiratory and oncology.

He said: “Last November, the Clinical Advisory Group established by the HSE to examine this issue recommended legislative change to extend medical card eligibility in cases of terminal illness. The administrative scheme announced will be in place for 12 months, pending the development of legislative options, which is currently being examined by the Department of Health.”

Department of Health officials are currently undertaking an examination of potential options for a legislative framework.

Regarding the current medical card assessment processes, it should be noted that where the HSE is informed that a patient is receiving end of life treatment – that is when patients’ unfortunately have a prognosis of less than 12 months – a medical card is awarded to these patients and they are not required to undergo a financial means assessment nor are they ever reassessed.

There are currently some 1,800 medical cards granted on ‘end of life’ criteria.