The national health strategy makes clear the Government's commitment to health as a key priority area. It is a long-term programme, but it sets out a clear plan and vision for the future. In setting out such a comprehensive and large scale plan, it is inevitable that prioritisation of actions must take place. This is a seven to ten year programme and there is no magic, overnight formula for putting right all the deficiencies in the system. However, the strategy represents a clear plan for moving forward, which is based on a step by step approach to improving and targeting health services, maximising the enhancement of health status and, in this context, reducing inequalities in the system and building the necessary capacity to meet the growing needs of the population. It is in this wider context that the issue of the extension of eligibility must be considered.