Friday, 28 February 2003

“The Shadow Health Minister, Stephen Smith, yesterday suggested that support should be given to general practices which always have one of their GPs bulk billing whilst the other GPs charge up front fees, with the patient given the opportunity to choose which type of service they would like”, said Dr Tim Woodruff, President of the Doctors Reform Society.

“Imagine the difference between the two services”, said Dr Woodruff. “If the quality of medical care is the same, those who choose to be bulk billed will be forced to wait because the service will be so popular. If the quality of the bulk billing service is lower, those who cannot afford will still have to accept that lower standard. Either way, this is about a two tiered system of health care where those with money get better or faster service”.

“This is at odds with Mr Smith’s statement that Labor is committed to ‘a universal system which ensures that all Australians have access to quality health care based on need rather than their capacity to pay’.”

“His other suggestion that extra funding (in the form of increased rebate, support for practice nurses, and direct grants) should be directed to practices which bulk bill but only in certain targeted areas, also reflects a lack of appreciation that Aussie battlers who need bulk billing do not just live in targeted areas. This is not about universal health care. Why not direct such support to all bulk billing practices?” asked Dr Woodruff.

“Suggestions that bulk billing practices should get income support, that Government funded bulk billing clinics should be introduced, and that measures to increase doctor numbers are very welcome and would help to support bulk billing and general practice”.

“But” said Dr Woodruff, “the other policy suggestions indicate that, despite the rhetoric about Labor’s commitment to universality and Medicare, many patients will miss out on access to high quality health care as Labor fails to match its rhetoric with appropriate policy.”

Dr Tim Woodruff
Dr Con Costa

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