The Government is examining whether to reinstate medical cards revoked in the course of its contentious review of discretionary cards, which was abruptly halted last week.
Although the Cabinet took stock of the affair at its weekly meeting last evening, there was no decision per se to hand back cards already taken from patients.
However, the Government’s spokesman acknowledged the Minister discussed the implications of the suspension of the review for cards already withdrawn. “There was a discussion on many aspects, including the question of cards already revoked.”
The HSE said last week it was not legally possible to restore medical cards to people who had lost them during the review process. This has raised questions as to whether legislation would be required to reinstate cards.
Further questions surround the loss of some €130 million in projected health budget savings from the review of cards in this year’s Budget.
Savings foregone
However, the Government spokesman said there were no decisions as to where the savings foregone might be made up.
He also indicated that there was no discussion on the possibility of a supplementary budget estimate for the Department of Health.
“The overall health budget remains extremely challenging,” he added.
The loss of medical card savings is in addition to questions over a further €108 million in pay savings required this year, which Minister for Health James Reilly says are not achievable.
This was seen at high levels in Fine Gael and Labour to have undermined Dr Reilly’s authority.
In Sligo yesterday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he would discuss the composition of the Cabinet with the new Labour leader, in response to a reporter’s question as to whether he had confidence in Dr Reilly.
When the Government spokesman was later asked whether the Taoiseach had confidence in the Minister, the spokesman said he took from Mr Kenny’s remarks that he had confidence in Dr Reilly.
The HSE recorded a financial deficit of in excess of €80 million in the first three months of the year, more than €50 million higher than for the same period last year.
