So who is affected by the changes?

AN expert panel will look at the eligibility criteria and new legislation may follow. There are three categories of people with medical cards:

Patients with a card under review, or who recently successfully appealed its removal: Anyone in this category is safe. Reviews of these cards have been suspended until new laws are in place.

Patients who failed in an appeal, or didn’t appeal: If the process has concluded, and they haven’t reapplied for a medical card in the meantime, they have missed the boat. These cards are not being returned for legal reasons according to the HSE. A HSE spokeswoman said many people would instead come under the Long Term Illness scheme (LTI).

Patients on a full medical card: Anyone on a full medical card, including those aged over 70, should expect regular reviews to continue. Anyone applying for a medical card, or hoping to get a discretionary card will still have to give full financial details.