A local TD has welcomed the decision to expand access to medical cards to those terminally ill with a prognosis of up to 24 months.
Up to now people with a prognosis of up to 12 months only met the 'end of life' criteria for eligibility for a medical card.
However, yesterday Minister Stephen Donnelly, directed the HSE to put an administrative scheme in place meaning it can be enacted quickly, rather than needing legislative change which could be lengthy.
Deputy Brendan Smith says that having the security of a medical card when someone is terminally ill offers great reassurance: