In the Dáil today, Thursday, 29th May, Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Primary Care, Alex White announced the review of discretionary medical cards is to be suspended. The Cabinet sub-committee on health, ordered the change of policy, following weeks of criticism over the removal of discretionary medical cards from patients.
Mr White said that "in the light of this, it had been decided that the current review of medical cards be suspended. The Department of Health is to draw up a policy paper setting out the path toward full rollout of free GP care for all and the Minister for Health would bring a memo to Government on the issue."
MS Ireland welcomes the decision of the Government to develop a new system to award medical cards based on medical needs, rather than solely on financial considerations.
We will provide further updates when we know more.
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