Secondary medical card test proposed under 'more compassionate' system
Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said there will be a secondary medical card test for those who do not meet the criteria of the means-test.
Minister Varadkar had previously promised to reform the discretionary medical card system after a report called for greater sensitivity in the way cards are allocated.
Under the proposed new system, a doctor will perform a second assessment of a candidate who fails the means-test, which would be based on their individual medical requirements.
Minister Varadkar said the new system will be more compassionate.
"So the idea would be that there is a single application form," Minister Varadkar said.
"The first test is the means test, so if you pass that you get what you entitled to.
"If you don't pass the means test then there would be a secondary test and that'll be assessed by a doctor.
"What it is is retaining the means testing system, but having a wider, and more generous, and more compassionate (system)."
