What are we doing?

Read: Medical Card Eligibility – Outline Reform Proposals

Today we put forward our own proposals and try to outline in a practical way how a reformed medical card system to take account of medical need might work, based on our own research and experience of the system but more importantly, intensive contact with parents over the last 165 days.

<< Click on the image to download.

While our suggested reforms may not go far enough for some, we believe the changes we are putting forward to be realistic, feasible and ultimately essential to ensure that every child in Ireland with a serious illness or condition is afforded full and free access to all public health services.

We have broken down the main proposals in to 5 key areas, and attempted to clearly highlight the short comings of the current system that many of you know only too well.

We have sent this document directly to the Minister for Health, Taoiseach, all Oireachtas members, Media & Interest Groups.

We hope that in some way it will add to the on-going discussion and inform the pending changes to the medical card system.

‘Show of Support’ – September 3rd, 1-2pm

We need to send a message to Government as they start their new term – we haven’t gone away. Parents still have no certainty; right now, some children with very serious conditions are still without medical cards, they do not qualify under the current system – those that have them, live in dread of the next renewal. This situation cannot continue, Government must act following the report of the Expert Panel, as they committed to only 8 weeks ago.

As day 100 approaches, we are organising a “show of support” to mark the 1st cabinet meeting after the summer break, on Wed. September 3rd from 1-2pm. We are very aware that many people may find it difficult to make this event, if you can’t make it but would like your child to be represented you can send us a photo or even just your child’s first name and we will print these off and have them with us on the day. This campaign is for all our children, and how the state should respond when a child is faced with a serious medical condition.

Thank you all for your continued support. If you can make it, stand with us for 1 hour on September 3rd.

(We will be announcing an evening “Show of Support” outside the Dáil when it returns also, details to follow.)

Email your photo’s to info@ourchildrenshealth.ie

Regards,
Kevin and Peter

•  Launch our campaign website & on-line petition to gain as much support as possible for policy change in this area.

•  Hold the first of our lunchtime “shows of support” on Tuesday May 27th and organise many more to follow shortly after.

•  Maintain a presence outside Government Buildings every morning the Dáil is in session, indefinitely.

•  Send the first of many letters to all members of the Oireachtas urging all political parties to move urgently; adopt this policy and cause no further distress to parents.

•  Seek face to face meetings with all party leaders with the objective of securing written commitments to amend the 1970 Act, independent of any other existing party policy on health.

•  Promote & publicise the reality of the situation for parents.

•  Repeat letters & renewed contact every campaign milestone; day 50, day 75, day 100.