Medical cards - Blame game is a waste of energy

THE Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has issued recommendations to the Health Services Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation on the proposed 200,000 medical cards to be issued to cover visits to the doctor only.

These cards will be for people who just missed out on eligibility for full medical cards. This should help low-income families who might otherwise have felt unable to afford a necessary visit to the doctor for treatment.

It is estimated the proposals will cost around €93 million, of which around €35m will cover benchmarking for doctors to co-operate with the introduction of the cards. It is also proposed that the doctors should receive €35 for each doctor-only card they sign on.