Fine Gael and Labour have published a joint policy on reform of the health service if they form a government after the next election.
They are proposing to provide an extra 2,300 hospital beds, medical card cover for 40% of the population and free health insurance for all children up to the age of 16.
The plan also includes the provision of 1,500 extra consultants and the scrapping of proposals to build private hospitals on public land.
Fine Gael's spokesperson on health, Dr Liam Twomey said the policy was about improving bed capacity.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte accused Health Minister Mary Harney of engaging in a 'pre-election stunt' with her tough talk about consultants.
He said it was time for her to take responsibility for the negotiations, as the reform of the common contract with consultants was absolutely vital to the future of the health service.
