According to a new HSE report, between 30,000 and 50,000 medical cards are due to be cut this year after a recent review into eligibility was conducted.
The move, which will undoubtedly cause concern among tens of thousands this week, comes after the HSE explained that their medical card unit experiences pressure when representations are made by TDs on behalf of constituents applying for a medical card.
According to the report, the assumption that a constituent will receive a more "favourable assessment" if represented by a TD has little grounding in reality as the card is based on eligibility criteria.
Further to this, the report, which notes that two million people are currently holding medical or GP visit cards, makes reference to fraudulent data submitted by applicants in addition to differing political policies on universal healthcare benefits.
"When looking back over the past decade, there was a continued growth in the number of medical card holders," reads the report. "Between 2004 and 2015, the number of people with medical card and GP visit cards has risen from 1.4 million to 2.17 million, which is an increase of 90% in 10 years."
According to the Irish Independent, plans to cut the number of cards to 125,000 in 2016 was scaled down after the Cabinet raised concern about the number of proposed cuts.
The issues contained within the draft report will be available for public consultation until April 6th.
