Why getting it wrong can be so harmful to those most in need

For such a complex issue, the ongoing medical card crisis — which is quickly descending into scandal — was explained in remarkably simple terms at Thursday’s health committee meeting.

In the final moments of the marathon four-hour discussion, Independent senator and co-founder of the Jack and Jill Foundation, Mary Ann O’Brien, raised the story of a terminally ill baby, who had to wait for vital, time-specific care.

“I have a case where a baby was born in the Coombe who was transferred to Our Lady’s in Crumlin. It took a week to get the child a medical card.