A Clare GP is accusing the Government of allowing political panic to drive an inquiry into whether medical cards could be allocated on disease alone.
Dr Michael Kelleher of Lahinch and IMO GP Committee member says the past discretionary system where financial means and health conditions is the fairest way of going about allocating cards.
However a Clonlara mother, who fought a long-running campaign to secure the return of a medical card for her son, says the Government promised to include Medical need in the assesment process.
Clonlara's Noreen Keane says she's disappointed and disheartened after a leaked government report says it isn't possible to allocate medical cards based on medical need alone.
Ms Keane has fought a long-running campaign to secure the return of a medical card for her son Ronan – even taking her battle to the Taoiseach.
She says they had hoped for clarity from the report – The Health Minister insists people don't have to worry, but Noreen's not convinced.
However Lahinch GP and member of the Irish Medical Organisation's GP Committee Dr Michael Kelleher says the medical profession isn't suprised about the results.
Noreen says the news comes on the back of several promises.
The document is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
