The Government is examining whether to reinstate medical cards which were revoked in the course of the discretionary card review.
According to the Irish Times, the Cabinet have been looking into the affair although there has been no decision who will receive the cards as of yet.
The matter was discussed at a Coalition meeting yesterday evening and even though the HSE announced that those without cards would not have them restored, The Irish Independent is reporting that the Government is likely to back down and restore the medical cards.
However, the Government will have to try find €130 million somewhere in the health budget to account for the medical card savings.
The controversial review of the medical card system has been halted while the HSE itself is due to appoint a panel which will examine the conditions for having a medical card outside of just income.
The Government has reported that 6,000 people have lost their medical cards since 2011 but according to a spokesman, it was unanimous in its decision to address the medical card issue.
The Government has come under fire for the treatment of those who have lost medical cards with individual cases being highlighted throughout the media.
