Sinn Féin is proposing introducing free medical cards for all cancer patients.
The proposal is part of the opposition party’s alternative budget that will be presented before the Government’s actual budget this day week (TUES OCT 8th).
The initiative will cost €40million a year and will close the loophole where 17,000 adults who have cancer have to pay their own medical bills.
This has been fully costed by the Department of Finance for Sinn Féin.
The party has used the Department of Finance for the past number of years to bolster its alternative budget so that at least the costings can’t be knocked easily by the Government.
Sinn Féin health spokeswoman, Louise O’Reilly, has worked to make it one of the party’s central planks of their alternative budget.
She will formally the policy on Tuesday.
But last on Monday she told the Irish Mirror: “As it stands, medical cards are automatically awarded to children and adolescents under the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer.
“For some time now there has been a genuine expectation amongst cancer patients and support organisations that, at some stage or another, this would be extended to all cancer patients.
“A cancer diagnosis can rock a person to the core; oftentimes they may end up giving up work or are working reduced hours; it can put a strain on finances and can put a strain on relationships.
“A cancer diagnosis results in increased expenses for the patient and combined with the possibility they have had to give up work, the situation can be financially crippling.”
Ms O’Reilly added: “Sinn Féin is proposing allocating medical cards to the over 17,000 people undergoing cancer treatment for the duration of their treatment so the burden can be eased on people at a time when they are in severe distress and give them help, support, and a break.”
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