The Irish Medical Organisation has defended the cost of the Medical Card scheme, saying it represents good value for patients.
The annual report of the General Medical Services Board, due to be published next week will reveal that last year, 200 GPs were paid more than a €250,000 each and one Dublin based GP's practice earned over €560,000.
Dr James Reilly, the president of the IMO said the money earned by GPs is used to cover all of the costs of the business, including wages for doctors, nurses, practice managers and secretaries.
