Young mum hits out after she is refused medical card

A young Navan mother with an asthmatic son, who is living on social welfare, claims she has been refused a medical card by the HSE without any explanation. April Lawes, says that despite having to live on €215 a week, she was recently told her application for a medical card has been refused, although she has not received written confirmation of this. She said that, despite applying for a medical card last Septemer, she hasn't received any written response from the HSE and, because of her son's illnesses, she has had to pay doctors' bills, A&E fees and pay for her son's medications out of her meagre income. "If I get sick myself, I just don't go to the doctor," she said. "I receive supplementary welfare and maintenance which, combined, amounts to €215 per week." She said the reason she is on the supplementary welfare is a backlog in the Social Welfare Department in processing applications. She said she first applied for a medical card for herself and her son in September last year and submitted all the relevant documentation required by the HSE. A spokesperson for the HSE said if a person is not satisfied with the decision regarding their application for a medical card, they may appeal the decision to the HSE Consumer Affairs Department Appeals Section. The details of the relevant appeals office is contained in the letter of refusal issued to the applicant. "In order to make an appeal it is necessary to submit an application in writing to the relevant Appeals Office outling the grounds for appeal. The Appeals Office will conduct a review of the original decision and will determine the appropriateness of the decision," she said. To read the full story see this week's Meath Chronicle.