GPs have urged Health Minister James Reilly not to impose further medical cards cuts in next week's Budget.

Dr. Ray Walley, Chair of the GP Committee of the IMO, called on the Government to safeguard the integrity of the medical card scheme as a support for low-income families.

He said that the Government had overseen 'a fundamental change to the spirit of the medical card scheme to such an extent that public confidence in the scheme is now in danger'

"While it is welcome that the Government would look at extending the range of population groups covered – at least in part – by the scheme, this must not be paid for by withdrawing or restricting the key benefits of the scheme from its core constituency of low income families."

Dr Walley also warned the Government against any increase in prescription charges for medical card holders.

The IMO says it is concerned that because of high out-of-pocket payments for treatment, patients are avoiding collecting prescribed medication.