Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As with many Deputies, a large amount of work in my office involves dealing with medical cards and people who are struggling to get a medical card approved or have a decision on appeal. As we are halfway through our budgetary year cycle, I ask that in the autumn the Government consider providing that when someone has a cancer diagnosis he or she will automatically qualify for a medical card. There must be no ifs or buts. I often have to ask individuals who are already distraught and stressed to the gills to get for additional information. They are suffering enough with cancer. It should be a bottom-line requirement that they need a medical card and that the Government would have the goodwill to give them one.

See this speech in context