Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When anyone is faced with a difficult health diagnosis, particularly if it is terminal, it is simply life shattering for that person and his or her family and close friends. Apart from the emotional impact and the stress about diagnosis, treatment and the financial impact, there is the significant concern about whether a person can afford to pay for treatment or get a medical card and if he or she was eligible, how long it would take get that medical card. All of us in politics know how complex and difficult it is to get a medical card. There are many difficulties and complexities involved. Dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy while terminally ill is the last thing a person needs. These people need to be able to get on with their lives along with their loved ones for however long they have left.

Currently, only those with a 12-month prognosis qualify for an end-of-life medical card. However, it is understandably very difficult to get consultants to provide a definitive timeframe such as this and those who fall outside the 12-month parameter find it very difficult to obtain a card. Even those who do qualify are means tested - I would call it a mean test as opposed to a means test - and must renew it every six months. People facing a life-ending illness should not have to worry about a financial burden imposed by their medical expenses. Added to that is the length of time it takes to get a card. All applications need to be screened initially for serious or terminal illnesses and fast-tracked. We have a problem when we have 1.5 million people on medical cards - more people than ever before - but those who really need them do not have them. We have all heard of John Wall, the Clare man who is terminally ill with stage 4 prostate cancer, who has been an incredible advocate for people in this situation. His medical card was revoked twice after reviews by the HSE.It was reinstated, with an apology. Fair play to him. He continues to campaign to get better access to medical cards for those with a terminal illness. In a letter dated 15 August, 2019, the Ombudsman stated that he had "considerable concerns" about "inconsistencies" and "misleading information" given to Mr. Wall. This is incredibly worrying. I speak as someone who has gone through this situation with a family member. The final report of the clinical advisory group is due soon and I certainly hope it will contain good and positive news for people like John, who should be spending their days with their families and not campaigning for fair treatment. I welcome the news of a meeting last Friday between John and the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. I hope that positive progress has been made and that we will be informed of that in the coming days.