An urgent review of the conditions covered under the Long Term Illness scheme is being called for by Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony. The scheme, which is administered by the Health Service Executive, is designed to ensure that people who suffer from a number of medical conditions can avail of their medication under this scheme.
It is, according to Deputy O’Mahony, a valuable scheme but he now believes that the time has come to update the conditions that are covered by it. “People suffering from mental health conditions and depression are not covered by the scheme and it’s now time to put this right,” he said.
“More and more people are presenting with these conditions because of the impact of the recession. Many of them do not qualify for a medical card and the €120 charge per month is simply too much for them.
“I am personally aware of people who are suffering greatly and cannot get their medication simply because they cannot afford it. They are at a very low ebb and if the Long Term Illness Scheme was extended to cover them, then those people could be treated. But, as of now, they’re not and they feel very isolated and ignored,” he said. Deputy O’Mahony said he would be raising the matter in the Dáil when it sits again next week.
