Media Release
Wednesday, 12 November 2003
Howard Throws Sick and Needy Into Saggy Medicare `Safety Net’
“Plans by the Howard Government to improve the Medicare `safety net’ condemn the desperate and needy in this country to second rate health care and endanger the lives of the many who will not qualify for any `safety net’,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.
“`Safety nets are full of holes and entrench second rate service for those who can’t afford to pay,” said Dr Woodruff. “Safety nets which cut in after so much has been spent in a year are useless for patients struggling to afford to see the doctor in January.”
“A healthy well funded Medicare would not need `safety nets’,” said Dr Woodruff. “But John Howard real intention is to turn Medicare from a health care system aiming to give timely access to quality care for everyone, into a saggy second rate safety net of its own. Then it will be Minicare.”
“Aussie battlers will increasingly rely on so called safety nets and the unpredictable doctors’ charity to access health care under this Government. Many will miss out, many will suffer, some will die, because they can’t afford proper health care when they need it.”
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Dr Tim Woodruff President Doctors Reform Society |
Dr Tracey Schrader Vice President |
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