Doctors Reform Society of Australia
			supporting health care reforms to ensure justice, equity and quality care for all
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Medibank was Australia's first universal, government-funded, health insurance system. It was dismantled by a subsequent conservative government but then reinstituted as Medicare in 1984. This is now a health system so popular with the Australian public that conservative governments ideologically opposed to providing universal access to health care have not yet dared to dismantle it.

A brief history of the activities of the Doctors Reform Society of Queensland:
Beginnings in the mid-late 1970's:
The aims of DRS Qld were the same as other DRS branches:
    To bring influence to bear to promote needed reforms in health care delivery systems.
    To improve communication between doctors, allied health professionals, the public, and governments regardless of their political persuasion.
    To study and promote social and environmental reforms in areas relevant to health and medical practice.

The late 1970's to early 1980's:
Several themes drew comment from DRS Qld.
    The numerous changes to the federal health system and their effects on Qld's free hospital system.
    Concerns about unnecessary surgery especially tonsillectomy and hysterectomy as influenced by the fee for service payment systems.
    Rights of children to confidentiality.

In 1982:
    DRS Qld hosted the 1982 DRS National Conference where the DRS endorsed the then Hayden Health Plan of universal health insurance.
    Joined in the debate on medical fraud and overservicing that grew into a major issue for the first time.
    Argued for rational medical workforce planning and against means testing in the free hospital system.
    Assisted with the provision of a 24 hour medical service to the Aboriginal protesters during the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
    Drew media attention to the risk protesters faced from special batons used by the Qld police.

In 1983:
    DRS Qld supported the election of the Hawke Government and the creation of Medicare.
    Raised concerns over the adverse health effects of unemployment.
    With the Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service supported the findings of research showing high death rates in Aboriginal communities.
    Supported the decriminalization of the use of marijuana.
    Supported Children by Choice by advocating abortion law reform in Qld.

In 1984:
    DRS Qld supported DRS NSW during the Doctor's (specialists) Strike by the AMA in New South Wales.
    Made a detailed submission to the Pennington Committee of Inquiry into private practice in public hospitals supporting the role of full-time salaried specialists.
    Supported rally for peace and disarmament.
    Supported the formation of DRS Australia at the National Conference in Sydney.

During 1985-88:
    DRS Qld continued support for changes to Qld abortion law.
    Drew public's attention to threats to Qld free hospital system.
    Held consumer and union seminar on the concerns over the free hospital system.
    Lobbied Qld Labor Federal Government politicians over recurrent pre-budget threats to Medicare funding and increases in pharmaceutical costs to patients.
    Liason with growing local Community Health Association.
    Made submissions to Federal Government inquiries on income support for unemployed and income support for people with disabilities.
    Hosted the 1988 National Conference in Brisbane.  Assisted in the development of the first DRS national policy document.

During 1989-1994:
    DRS Qld ran a seminar on the future of General Practice in 1989.
    Advocated changes to gun laws in Qld.
    Submission to the Senate select committee on the proposed vocational register for general practice.
    Held meetings with new state Labor Minister for Health in early 1990 on concerns over the spilling of medical officer positions in the Public Service; and discussed ideas for reform of health department.
    Attacked Federal Labor Governments increases to the cost of prescribed drugs.
    Detailed submission to the Qld Health Minister supporting regionalization and the formation of a Health Complaints Unit plus involvement of consumers in the planning process.
    Contributed to development of National DRS HIV policy.
    Submission to Senate Committee inquiry into prescription and supply of drugs late 1991.
    From Aug. 1991 to April 1992 in combination with consumers and unions successfully fought off the co-payment introduced in the 1991 Federal Budget.
    DRS made a member of the Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council 1991.
    Formed coalition with consumers and unions to defend Medicare in March 1993 Federal election.
    Advocating changes to the laws restricting medical advertising in Qld 1993-4.
    DRS Qld contributes to the DRS Australia submission to ACTU/Caucus Working Party Report on Health Insurance in early 1994.

Since then... :
    By the end of 1994 it was apparent that Australia's universal health insurance system Medicare had substantial rhetorical support from within both the major political groupings in Australia, the Labor Party and the Liberal-National party coalition. This has represented a historical landmark. Despite this Medicare does remain under constant threat of being slowly dismantled, with increased funding going to private for-profit health insurance funds and healthcare. The DRS continues its role alerting and educating the public.

.		.	Doctors Reform Society of Australia, PO Box 992, Gosford NSW 2250. Phone 02 9264-9084 Fax 02 9267-4393.	.
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