Buttimer welcomes appointment of expert group and encourages public to give view on medical cards

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Jerry Buttimer, has this evening (Thursday) welcomed the announcement from the HSE that the expert panel has been appointed to examine how medical need should be taken into account when discretionary medical cards are being granted. Deputy Buttimer has also encouraged members of the public to engage in the public consultation process on the issue, which gets underway tomorrow.

“The appointment of the expert panel is a very important step in changing the way discretionary medical cards are awarded. Thanks to the Government decision of last week, we are now moving to a system where, for the first time ever, medical cards can be awarded to people because they have a serious medical condition, rather than just because they fall below an income threshold.

“The expert panel consists of 23 professionals from a wide range of medical disciplines. They will now consider which medical conditions should automatically qualify for a medical card. They will apply the best medical evidence in coming to their conclusions, ensuring the system is open and transparent.

“I am particularly pleased that the expert panel has been asked to take the views of patient advocacy groups into account. We must listen closely to those who have been working with and on behalf of the very patients who have suffered as a result of the failings of the existing system.  

“The work of the expert panel will inform the Government’s new policy on the awarding of medical cards. We must learn from the mistakes of the past, and that is why I am also encouraging the public to make their views known as part of the public consultation process, which is getting underway tomorrow.

“The reality is the medical card system has been flawed for years. The centralisation of the system – which I believe will ultimately make it fairer – has acutely exposed these flaws. Now we are finally reforming the system for the better to ensure that those with serious medical conditions, as well as those with economic constraints, can access the care they need.”