The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, has said that medical cards for the over 70s and plans for free GP care for all are not being targeted by the International Monetary Fund.
Speaking at a national health conference in Dublin, the Minister said the IMF had requested information on the operation of the Medical Card Scheme.
Professor Peter Smith, a health advisor to the IMF, told the conference that Ireland faced agonising choices in trying to deliver a fair system with limited funds.
He said that funding should be cut for treatments of little benefit and there should be targeted charges for treatments of limited value.
Prof Smith said Ireland should also conduct studies to see if citizens have difficulty accessing services due to a lack of money.
