Doctor-only cards - Under-fives cards must be means tested

THE Government has signalled its intention to press ahead with controversial doctor-only medical cards for all children under five regardless of whether their parents are millionaires or on the minimum industrial wage.

That’s clear from today’s interview with Minister for Children Brian Lenihan who claims the move would have a huge impact on paediatric care. But this catch-all approach is rejected by doctors and other critics who argue the initiative should be means tested.

The notion of extending doctor-only medical cards to all children under five has been criticised by GPs who reject the idea of giving eligibility to any group on the basis of age alone and demand the scheme be means tested. Doctors argue that many parents of children in that age group need a full medical card rather than a doctor-only card which they see as a ‘yellow pack’ solution.