A Quin man with incurable cancer is fighting for an explanation from the HSE as to why his medical card has been revoked twice since his diagnosis.
John Wall is entitled to a medical card without a means test as his stage four prostate cancer is terminal. Despite that, the card was first cancelled after six months and later, when he appealed that decision, cancelled again after two months.
In the past, anyone given a terminal diagnosis was entitled to apply for a medical card to be granted within 24 hours. It was not means-tested but it was reviewable after six months.
After campaigning by patient groups who argued it created distress to have to prove they were still terminal, that review was extended to 18 months.
John has been posting about this experience on social media and says the response he received proves he isn’t the only person affected. He joined us on the show to explain what has been going on.
