Dáil debates

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Medical Cards

2:00 am

Photo of Erin McGreehanErin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I will speak about medical cards specifically for cancer patients. I will ask the Department to do something really incredible for cancer patients, which is something we most definitely can fix. It is to simplify the medical card application for people with cancer. We already made adaptions to the application process, which worked well for Ukrainian refugees under the temporary protection directive, resulting in a streamlined system that cut through bureaucracy and guaranteed care but, for cancer patients, we can look to required clinical need. We did this at the time because we recognised that in crisis we need to adapt. Likewise, cancer patients are in a moment of crisis. They should be looked after and not put under financial strain.

Diagnosis brings fear, uncertainty, often financial hardship and severe hardship, yet in Ireland too many patients must navigate the maze of forms and means testing to get a medical card, despite overwhelming clinical need. We say we care about their well-being and then we ask about their bank statements. It is not care and can be incredibly cruel. The Irish Cancer Society has called explicitly for automatic medical cards from diagnosis until treatment ends. This is consistent with our values. We have extended this to children with cancer acknowledging the huge pressure that is put on families to care for someone going through treatment. We have discretionary cards but these are not automatically granted to all cancer patients. They are often reserved for those with terminal illnesses under a specific financial threshold. Some patients still face difficulties, even with these. It is very distressing and leaves huge uncertainty. The issue of having to repeatedly apply for medical cards and prove financial hardship can cause more significant distress for patients and their families. It is clear that the current system does not adequately address the unique financial needs of cancer patients, including those who require various treatments, medications and supportive care, such as prosthetics and wigs.

I propose we amend the legislation to enshrine clinically based eligibility on an equal footing with income. Cancer patients should automatically qualify and means testing should end. We should employ a streamlined cancer form and a digital submission pathway, and oncology teams should be allowed, if needed, pre-certify that applicants have a cancer diagnosis and are accessing treatment, just as we did for Ukrainian patients with a GP sign-off. We should guarantee active cards from day one of diagnosis that are valid until treatment concludes, without interruption, renewal or a retreatment application. Cancer patients are our friends, neighbours and families. They do not need bills; they need care. We can give them some certainty if we can deliver on this.

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