A Laois County Councillor has called for the introduction of a temporary medical card for people with a terminal illness or long-term illness.
Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh raised the issue this week at the County Council’s April meeting, gaining cross-party support for the motion.
Cllr Walsh called for Laois County Council to “contact the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that any review of the medical card system includes the introduction of a temporary medical card up to two years in duration for those with a terminal illness and long term illness without a means test.
“People with terminal illness have enough to endure without having to go through a means test.
“These forms can be quite long and arduous, and upsetting for people as well.
“So, I really think the introduction of this scheme would help these people in the long run.”
There was support for the motion from Fianna Fáil Cllrs John Joe Fennelly and Paschal McEvoy, with Cllr Fennelly saying this is “a major issue.”
“People are being really put through the hoops on this, and it’s not fair,” Cllr Fennelly said.
“People are suffering. Nobody looks for a medical card unless there’s a reason for it – a serious reason for it.
“Anyone with cancer or any terminal illness should be entitled to this.”
Cllr McEvoy praised the motion, saying “a simple letter from the patient’s doctor outlining that they have a terminal illness should be enough to give them an immediate medical card.
“The doctor is not going to tell a lie for anyone,”” he said, adding, “if anyone needs a medical card because of terminal illness, there should be no question of finance; mean testing should be out the window – give them the medical card.”
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