Medical Card System failing cancer patients: Irish Cancer Society

The Irish Cancer Society says the reported conclusions of the Expert Panel set up to examine discretionary medical cards based on health needs underline the need to change the Health Act of 1970 which governs how applications are assessed.

“The finding that it would be ‘neither feasible nor desirable’ to list medical conditions in order of priority is not surprising, but we hope that the Panel has also recommended a new system based on medical not financial need,” says Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy & Communications. “It’s important that the report be published as soon as possible and the Government indicates its intentions for reform.

“At a meeting involving the then Minister for Health, Department officials and the HSE in June, health charities and NGOs were told that there would be a ‘quantum leap’ in health policy and that the awarding of discretionary medical cards would be ‘based on condition’.”

The Irish Cancer Society submission to the Expert Panel recommended that cancer patients undergoing treatment have access to a medical card. This will ensure that cancer patients no longer suffer the financial and emotional distress that many are currently experiencing

“The Expert Panel reportedly recommends that any change should be introduced as part of the process of free GP care for all. While the introduction of universal access to a doctor is crucial, cancer patients require more than a GP in the course of their treatment. They need access to other medical professionals, medication, medical equipment, dental care, surgical dressings and wigs.

“In our opinion the current medical card system is failing many cancer patients. There has been an overemphasis in the past to a person’s financial means, without due regard to their medical need and the costs associated with that as well”, says Ms O’Meara.

“The conclusions of this report should not be used as an excuse not to overhaul how the system works. Instead, it should spark the beginning of a campaign to change the 1970 Health Act that will end the current unfair, imbalanced system that works against so many patients.”