`The ALP Health Policy released today recognises the problems of underfunding of public hospitals, aged care services, nursing services, dental health, after hours medical care,' said Dr Tim Woodruff, National President of the Doctors Reform Society.

`It commits some funds to address these problems. We welcome this recognition and commitment. It will go some way to solving the above problems.'

However Dr Woodruff also noted the ALP's commitment to the retention of the private health insurance rebate which costs $2.5 billion per year. `With this money redirected to those underfunded areas of public hospitals, nursing homes, and dental care, the funding problem in these areas would be resolved,' he said. `It is disappointing to see this continued commitment to a monumental waste of money.'

`It contains no recognition that bulk billing rates are dropping across the country as private companies buy up GPs, pathology, and X-ray practices. The current direction of our health care system is to an expensive, wasteful, unfair US style system,' said Dr Woodruff.

`We need a recommitment by the political parties to the principle of equal access to high quality health care for all Australians. Without that commitment, people will die for lack of care.'

21st October 2001

Dr Tim Woodruff
President Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa
Vice President

Dr Peter Davoren
Vice President
Ph 075 5946804
Mobile 041687390

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