"Terminally ill people struggle to get medical cards as TDs rush through euthanasia/ assisted suicide legislation" - Ógra Aontú
Ógra Aontú have expressed their dismay at the fact that there is no mention of medical card reform for terminally ill patients in #Budget2021.
Spokesperson for Ógra Aontú, Becky Kealy, said:
"Last week TDs voted to pass the 'Dying with Dignity' Bill to second stage which aims to legalise assisted suicide/ euthanasia. Today is budget day and we in Ógra Aontú are very upset to see that there is no mention of reform for medical cards for terminally ill people in this country. Terminally ill cancer patient John Wall has mounted a campaign for well over a year now to extend medical cards to everyone who is terminally ill".
Becky continued: "At the moment people who are terminally ill are effectively being told that they are not terminally ill enough to qualify for a medical card. They are also being subjected to insensitive demands that they repeatedly get letters from their treating doctors outlining the fact that they are terminally ill and detailing how long they have left".
"It is absolutely outrageous that today's budget does not mention reform for medical cards despite assurances made to John Wall by the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in recent times. It is a sad reality that Minister Donnelly parted with the government after they allowed a 'vote of conscience' and voted in favour of assisted suicide / euthanasia fopr the terminally ill. Minister Donnelly supports offering assisted suicide to the terminally ill but not medical cards. Ireland is changing, and the vulnerable, those in need are being left behind", concluded Becky.
