Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My motion relates to medical cards, for cancer patients in particular. I will offer one of many examples from people in my constituency who have come to me. In November 2016 I heard from a woman who applied for an emergency medical card. We went to the primary care unit in Carlow. The forms were completed and presented along with a letter from the doctor outlining the diagnosis and the medical history as well as bank statements.

The person started treatment within days of submitting the application. Following the initial application, the medical card section was contacted and asked about the status of this application. We were told that further information was requested. The process is like going for a mortgage. First, those responsible wanted proof of the mortgage and a statement from the bank with details of monthly payments made. This was requested despite bank statements showing the money going out of the account. The officials still needed confirmation that the person was paying the mortgage. A letter from the mortgage protection provider with details of cover and how much was paid monthly was sought. A copy of the car log book and proof of address of place of work was sought to work out travel expenses. A copy of the house insurance policy, including the details of fire and contents cover was sought. Confirmation of payment for insurance cover was sought. A copy of the insurance policy showing cover for fire and contents was sought. Completed medical forms from other members of the family detailing medical information to be completed by the GP were sought. A further letter from the oncologist indicating that he supports the application for an urgent medical card was sought.

This person is still undergoing treatment. Under normal circumstances, sourcing and submitting all this information would take time, never mind during treatment while caring for three children as well as producing all this information.

That information was submitted in November. This week, we were told that if all the information was not submitted by 28 February, the application would be closed. That is a disgrace.

This is the process for what we call an emergency medical card. This is what a person undergoing cancer treatment has to submit. The person in question is in the middle of radiation treatment. She is going up every day to get treatment and she stays over. The cost for car parking is €8 for the day. That is another issue. This is unacceptable.

I have applied for cards for several people seeking palliative care medical cards. That is a separate issue. People can get them quickly and I am aware of that because I have got them. Those involved are very good with palliative care. However, the system is falling down in the case of emergency medical cards and this needs to be changed.

I will outline another bugbear of mine. People who have medical cards still have to pay. Every time a person goes to the doctor for blood tests, that person has to pay €20. That is unacceptable. Let us suppose a person has a medical card and is undergoing treatment. That person has to pay €20 for blood tests.

There is a broader issue at play. I call on the Minister of State to bring this back to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and to ask for emergency medical cards to be issued on the same basis as palliative care medical cards - they are the same. As I said, the woman in question is getting treatment but she has been waiting for four months for her medical card.