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MEDIA
RELEASE
Friday, 16 May 2003
“The Labour Party’s package to address the increasing problems of bulk billing is the first positive initiative on bulk billing for ten years”, said Dr Tim Woodruff, President of the Doctors Reform Society. “It encourages doctors to bulk bill patients wherever they live, whoever they are. It encourages the underlying principle of Medicare, access to quality care for everyone. And it aims to address the inequalities of access between rural and metropolitan areas.”
“Our patients value bulk billing. We know it is important for the vast majority of them”, said Dr Woodruff.
“Bulk billing is important to GPs because people will come for immunisations, health screening, and the ongoing management of chronic illnesses like diabetes which are so essential.”
“Bulk billing is also the best way to control the increasing health costs, but the Government proposes a user pays system which will lead to skyrocketing health costs.”
“This proposal does not make second class citizens of card holders, it does not increase the burden on working families, as the Governments proposals do”, said Dr Woodruff. “It is not about turning our high quality health system into a user pays system and a so called `safety net’, as the Government intends”.
“The increase in the rebate encourages doctors to bulk bill. The bonus encourages doctors to bulk bill not just card holders, but also the working families who will be hardest hit by the Government’s proposals. The total package gives a substantial boost to doctors who bulk bill everyone”.
“With this proposal we are finally moving in the right direction”, said Dr Woodruff. “And all Australians can now see in this proposal a real chance for the restoration of the real Medicare: access to quality health care for everyone.”
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Dr Tim Woodruff President Doctors Reform Society |
Dr Con Costa Vice President Doctors Reform Society |
Dr Peter Davoren Vice President Doctors Reform Society |
For further information please contact the Doctors Reform Society during business hours
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