Medical card 'chaos' will ensue if extra cuts are made, GPs warn
The group representing Ireland's GPs is warning of "chaos" over medical cards if the Government continues with planned cuts.
According to the IMO, the coalition has set a target of €133m worth of savings in the coming year – a €20m increase on the amount originally targeted in the budget.
The organisation has been speaking out following the publication by The Irish Times of confidential communications sent by the HSE to the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly.
In the letter, the Director General of the Health Service, Tony O’Brien, warns the Minister that next year's cuts on medical card spending are being taken against the advice of the HSE and the Department of Health.
Chairman of the GP Committee of the IMO, Dr Ray Walley, has asked the Minister not to go ahead with the planned changes.
"I call on the Minster ... to listen to the advice of the administrators of the Health Service and reform in the HSE, to take their advice and not make these €133m cuts," he said.
"I call on him to clarify what they plan to do in the context of this letter."
