Doctors, state argue over blame in €51m overrun

A MAJOR row broke out between doctors and the Department of Health last night over who is to blame for the €51 million budget over-run in the medical card scheme.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) blamed the Department because they said it had completely underestimated the numbers of over-70s who would qualify for the medical card.

IMO spokesman Dr Ronan Boland said the Department’s budget for the new scheme was based on 39,000 over-70s applying for the medical card whereas over 70,000 ended up getting it.