Lenihan backs doctor-only medical cards for under-fives

DOCTOR-ONLY medical cards should be extended to all children under the age of five, according to Minister for Children Brian Lenihan.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, he said he believed such a move would have a huge impact on paediatric care in this country.

Doctors’ representative groups have said they would oppose such a move unless it was means-tested, as it would repeat the over-70s scenario where people who can afford GP visits benefit.