Medical Cards Reinstated?

Discretionary medical cards may be reinstated

Thousands of people who lost their discretionary medical cards under a review carried out by the HSE could have them restored after ministers discussed the prospect at Cabinet yesterday.

The HSE review process was halted entirely last week and it then looked likely that medical cards that had already been revoked would not be reinstated. However following last night's Cabinet meeting, while no definitive decision was announced the coalition now look set to restore previously withrdrawn cards.

"There was an extensive discussion around the whole discretionary medical cards, those who have had them taken off them and the difficulty that causes for them," a spokesman said.

The Government is unanimous that the issue of discretionary medical cards needs to be addressed as quickly as possible, the spokesman said.

This could potentially mean good news for many people with MS who have lost their medical cards recently. Junior Health Minister Alex White assured that a further statement on the issue will be made this week.

Further information

Top