PM Howard announces Medicare to be replaced by “American-care”

PM John Howard’s announcement that patients will pay $20 to see the doctor - has finally revealed his true hand on Medicare and bulk billing. Despite a core election promise that “Medicare stays” he continues to introduce legislation in support of a private US style health system which reduces Medicare to a safety net for the poor.

The new changes will make it easier for doctors to charge a hefty co-payment – and this co payment will continue to grow over time while the government rebate will stay fixed.

Instead of the previous system where doctors were encouraged to Bulk Bill because of its simplicity, the new changes will penalise doctors who do not charge their patients.

Once the GP starts charging it will also mean that all medical services such as pathology and x-rays, mammograms etc will be charged. Health care will become very expensive. Medical care will become a luxury for the rich.

Pensioners and veterans and card holders will be reduced to asking their doctor for charity. They will be seen as “basket cases” in a private system. (The Medicare bulk billing rebate will only be around half the common fee charged by doctors and will continue to fall compared to the common fee over time.)

Low income families and the working poor will be the big losers. The bigger the family the more expensive the health care. Many will go without health care – or go too long without seeing the doctor and end up sicker and some even go on to hospitalisation that could have been prevented. Or they will depend on charity and free services from the GP.

Mr Howard has not been honest with the Australian electorate. He has told a “big porky”. He is continuing his deception by calling it a “Medicare reform package”

What sort of an example is this for our children and the rest of society when the nations PM can be so devious and deceptive of the public??

Mr Howard promised “Medicare stays”. Instead he is slowly introducing “Ameri-care” -where private health insurance and the health corporations can profit, families struggle to pay for expensive health care and governments can divert increasing amount of taxpayers dollars for the military and war.

Dr Con Costa

Dr Tim Woodruff

For further information please contact the Doctors Reform Society during business hours

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