Increased medical card access must be matched by resources, says think tank

Michelle Murphy of Social Justice Ireland said: “We’re the only country in the EU that doesn’t have primary care that is free at the point of access.”

Increasing medical card access will make “a big difference” to low-income groups, but only if the health services are resourced to deliver on that pledge, according to a Social Justice Ireland analyst.

The Government plans to offer GP visit cards to an additional 430,000 people based on income levels this year. Research & Policy Analyst Michelle Murphy said: “We did welcome the announcement for the additional medical card coverage because it would really help with that health inequality.