'The health measures announced in the Federal budget by the Treasurer, Mr Costello are unlikely to deliver real health benefits to the Australian population in the medium term' claims Doctors Reform Society President, Dr Peter Davoren.

Dr Davoren said the DRS always welcomes increases in health spending and there are some laudable aspects in the budget. The move to increase rural training positions is positive and may encourage extra doctors into country areas in the intermediate term.

'Mr Costello can not, however, boast about the size of the package. $70 million in the first year represents only 3% of what the government is spending on the private health insurance rebate, a tax break that goes to only 30% of all Australians. Whilst the package announced will increase to $200 million annually in four years an even greater amount will be spent increasing rebate payments as private health insurance premiums continue to rise well above the rate of inflation' said Dr Davoren.

Dr Davoren said that if Mr Costello was interested in improving the health of Australians in general and those living in rural and regional Australia in particular he should spend the rebate money on health care. 'With this money he could run an extra 500 bed public hospital in every capital city in Australia and still have $1 billion a year every year for rural initiatives. This money could be available immediately and have no impact on the budget surplus' claimed Dr Davoren.

For further information:

Dr Peter Davoren
President, Doctors' Reform Society

Dr Tim Woodruff
Vice-president, Doctors' Reform Society

[ Doctors Reform Society of Australia home page]
[ About DRS ] [ Site Index ] [ Search ] [ What's New ]
[ Policies ] [ Media Releases ] [ Published Letters ]
[ Current Issues: online articles ] [ New Doctor: Journal of the DRS ]
[ Discussion Board ] [ Contacting DRS ] [ Joining DRS ] [Jobs] [ Links ]