Irish Health Minister Confirms No Changes to Long-Term Illness Scheme
Ireland’s Minister for Health has officially announced that the government will not expand the current Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme. The decision means that the list of medical conditions covered by the scheme will remain the same for the foreseeable future.
Currently, the LTI Scheme provides patients with necessary drugs, medicines, and medical appliances free of charge for specific long-term conditions. These conditions include diseases such as cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. Patients who qualify for the scheme do not have to pay the standard monthly charges for their medication.
There had been calls from various advocacy groups to include more conditions under this support. Specifically, there were requests to add type 2 diabetes, asthma, and chronic hepatitis B to the list of covered illnesses. Supporters argued that including these conditions would provide essential financial relief to thousands of patients across the country.
However, the Department of Health stated that expanding the scheme would require significant additional funding. The Minister explained that the government must prioritize existing healthcare services and manage the national budget carefully. As a result, the criteria for joining the scheme will not be updated at this time.
Patients who are not covered by the LTI Scheme but struggle with the cost of medication are encouraged to look into other available supports. These include the Drug Payment Scheme, which limits the amount a household pays for prescription medicines each month, and the Medical Card system for those who meet specific income requirements.