Do the GPs objecting to free care for the under-sixes have a point?

The Minister for Health is delighted that 40,000 children are now registered for free medical care, but Irish doctors are not so impressed.

By Cianan Brennan Monday 22 Jun 2015, 9:31 AM

Jun 22nd 2015, 9:31 AM 17,309 Views 83 Comments

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Image: Shutterstock/VP Photo Studio

Image: Shutterstock/VP Photo Studio

HEALTH MINISTER LEO Varadkar got into a bit of a spat with some GPs yesterday on Twitter, telling those who object to his scheme of free health care for children aged under six to ‘cop on’.

The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) is strongly opposed to the scheme, which they claim will lead to already overworked doctors becoming completely swamped. Doctors also claim the government will only talk to the union, the IMO, that most doctors don’t want to be represented by.

Varadkar for his part says that the taxpayer must always come first.

But do the GPs have a point here?

We’re asking: Is the GP care for under-sixes scheme badly flawed?

Poll Results:

Yes (3799)

No (1898)

I'm not sure (1100)

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Do the GPs objecting to free care for the under-sixes have a point?