'Don't attack me over medical cards'

Leo Varadkar TD

Lise Hand and Eilish O'Regan

HEALTH Minister Leo Varadkar has appealed to patient groups not to "attack or weaken" him on the medical card controversy as he faces into tough pre-Budget negotiations on funding for the health service in 2015.

He insisted that if they worked with him it would be possible to "achieve a lot together" – but he remained firm that no absolute commitments can be given about proposals to give discretionary medical cards based on medical conditions rather than means.

He repeated last night that he would await the recommendations of an expert group, due in the autumn.

It is examining which conditions should be eligible for a full medical card and the criteria needed.