"Suggestions that doctors should pay higher premiums to sort out the medical indemnity crisis are a front for yet another attack on patients and the idea of Medicare as a health system available to everyone",said Dr Tim Woodruff, National President of the Doctors Reform Society.

"Doctors will pass the increases on either as increased fees or by abandoning bulk billing," said Dr Woodruff. "Any increase in premiums charged to doctors will inevitably be paid for by the most vulnerable; the sick, the pensioners, those on fixed incomes."

"The Federal Government claims to support the health system, but a health system is meant to be about patients first. Higher costs to doctors means higher costs to patients. That will mean patients miss out."

"We call on the Government to look after patients first, and ensure that any extra costs are not paid for just by those who need health care the most", said Dr Woodruff.

19 September 2002

Dr Tim Woodruff
National President, Doctors Reform Society

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