John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I extend season's greetings to my colleagues and the staff in Leinster House. There is one matter I did not have a chance to raise on the Order of Business although I alluded to it when the Minister for Health was present. I would like the Leader to get formal clarification from the Minister for Health of the status of public patients in hospital who do not have medical cards. To my shame I was unaware of the financial and social service support lacuna in which these patients find themselves with daily charges for inpatient care to a maximum of ¤750 per annum and for day-care procedures of ¤75 to a maximum of ¤750 per annum. Many of us are under the illusion that patients have access to a completely free public health system if they elect to use it or they may take out private insurance if they so wish. While the system is largely supported and while the fees charged are not the real cost of their care, it is not a free service if they are being charged ¤75. Many of us were unaware of this because historically these charges have been unevenly applied, sought and pursued. In addition, there was a relatively liberal regime.

Members of this House and of the Joint Committee on Health and Children are aware of multiple representations made by our citizens about the difficulty of getting medical cards or having them renewed. It appears that the process has slowed down and it is hard to escape the conclusion that there is some policy involved and a greater level of scrutiny of these applications in view of the increased demand at a time of decreased resources. Cancer patients used to more or less automatically receive a medical card, regardless of means. This apparently is no longer the case. I do not wish to confine this request to the patients with the condition that I treat. I am sure it applies to patients with many other chronic illnesses. Many patients coming for chemotherapy, for example, may come every week for four or six weeks in a row. If that incurs a charge of ¤75 that represents a burden. I believe that the administration of one hospital, to its credit, has decided to charge only once. Others are not charging at all. It was reported during the week that some centres are sending out debt collection agents and threatening dunning letters to patients in this situation. At the same time they were giving patients the guarantee that they would not withdraw services. I would like to reassure patients that there is no evidence that their services will be withdrawn. Could the Leader please ask the Minister to clarify the following points. How much money is recouped from this scheme? How much is spent in engaging debt collection agencies? Do we have any evidence anywhere that patients are writing to say that they are not following up on treatment?

I do not wish to show the Leader any disrespect but I cannot stay to hear his reply today because I must attend the Joint Committee on Health and Children but I would be grateful if he could pass these questions on to the Minister for Health.