Ministers hail Long Term Illness Scheme measures in Budget

Government Ministers were today highlighting new measures in the Budget that will ensure access to GP care without fees to Long Term Illness Scheme claimants.

At present, Long Term Illness (LTI) card holders do not receive free GP care unless they are also holders of medical cards. It was claimed that almost 56,000 people will benefit from the new initiative.

“The primary commitment in the Programme for Government insofar as it refers to health services is that it is committed to developing a universal, single-tier health service, which guarantees access to medical care based on need, not income’ and that continues to be our aim,” said Minister for Health Dr James Reilly TD.

“Today, we have delivered two important measures with the allocation of €35m for new mental health services and the €15m necessary to provide free GP care for people on the Long Term Illness scheme.”

The scheme provides, through community pharmacy contractors, free medicines and appliances to persons who are suffering from a specified illness. Extension of free GP care to all claimants of medicines under the scheme will require primary legislation.

“The intention is to extend free GP care in 2013 to patients who receive medicines under the High Tech Drugs Scheme,” a statement from Minister of State for Primary Care at the Department of Health, Róisín Shortall.

“Access to subsidised GP care will be extended to all in the next phase and universal access to GP care without fees will occur in the final phase.”