The HSE says around 75,000 people will lose medical cards next year.
The figure comes as the Health Minister unveils his money plan for the HSE for 2014.
Its going to have to do with 619 million euro less, with 23 million of that being saved in cutting medical cards.
HSE boss Tony O'Brien says the original target of 113 million simply wasn't realistic:
Meanwhile there's fierce opposition to the plan.
Doctor's union the IMO say its an austerity charter for the health sector.
While nurses group the INMO says neither its members or patients can take any more cuts.
