Government approves method for the return of medical cards lost in discretionary review

The Government has today approved the method by which medical cards awarded by way of discretion can be returned to persons with serious medical conditions who lost them having completed an eligibility review. The decision covers the period from the 1st of July 2011 till the 31st of May 2014.

At its meeting today the Cabinet has agreed a method which paves the way for the return of cards by the Health Service Executive which does not involve changing the law. Accordingly the return of such cards can be implemented within a matter of weeks through actions taken by the HSE.

The Government has accepted that the review of the cards – which took place in the context of the centralisation of the medical card system – produced unintended consequences. Much anecdotal evidence points to the fact that some persons with an acute medical condition, or a lifelong condition (including a disability) have lost their medical cards, an outcome that the Government could not stand over.

In recent weeks the Government decided to take remedial action to repair the unintended consequences and also decided to formulate a new policy whereby eligibility for health services can take account of medical conditions, in addition to the existing basis of financial means.

The HSE has already established an expert panel to advise on the broader issue by September. Today’s decision will see an expeditious reinstatement of cards.

Today’s decision has come in the wake of considerable interaction with the Office of the Attorney General. While Medical Cards are provided to persons under the 1970 Health Act, the Director General of the HSE is satisfied that today’s Government decision will allow him to return cards to persons with an acute medical condition or a person with a lifelong condition (including disability).

The Cabinet decisions have been made in the context of the move to introduce Universal Health Insurance and Universal Primary Care. The move to Universal Health Insurance will mean that everyone is covered for the health services that they need, and where community rating will ensure that premiums will be the same for everyone – regardless of how great their medical need is. Government will subsidise the cost of premiums on the basis of ability to pay.

A policy paper on Universal Primary Care will be completed by the Autumn. It will reflect the Government decision that it wants to provide access to appropriate health services on the basis of medical need, and has put in place the mechanisms required to provide the sound evidence base required to legislate for that.

You are invited to a Press conference with Minister James Reilly and the Director General of the HSE Tony O’Brien to explain the details of today’s decision and its implementation.

Date: Tuesday 17th June 2014

Time: 2.30.p.m.

Venue: Government Press Centre, Governement Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2