Written answers

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Department of Health

General Practitioner Services

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health when he intends to provide free general practitioner care for claimants under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44115/12]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the drafting difficulties arising from the proposal to grant medical cards on the basis of illness, rather than means, which has stalled the delay in the roll-out of free general practitioner care to persons with long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44350/12]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an indication of the time expected to resolve the drafting difficulties arising from the proposal to grant medical card on the basis of illness, rather than means, which has stalled the delay in the roll-out of free general practitioner care to persons with long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44351/12]

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of free general practitioner care to everyone; when free GP care will be provided for patients with long-term illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44427/12]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the nature of the drafting difficulties arising from the proposal to a grant medical card on the basis of illness, rather than means, which not only forms the basis of the roll-out of free general practitioner care to persons with long-term illnesses but also forms the basis of much of his programme of reform [44800/12]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 641, 642, 648 and 702 together.

The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to the Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.

Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he is in talks with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Competition Authority in relation to the issue of free general practitioner care; when such talks are likely to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44116/12]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to General Practitioner (GP) services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by the Attorney General's office and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.

The Department and the HSE is currently examining the changes that need to be made to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract to facilitate the introduction of Universal Primary Care. As part of this process, the Department has held discussions with the Competition Authority with regard to Competition Law. There have also been preliminary discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) to outline policy in this regard. I expect to engage in further discussions with GPs/IMO as soon as the legislation is published.

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