DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Sunday 23 November

 

DOCTORS CALL ON SENATE TO REJECT ANTI MEDICARE LEGISLATION!

 

Doctors warn that proposed government changes to Medicare in senate this Monday will lead to

 

-         higher health costs

-         reduced bulk billing

-         reduced access to health care

 

"We are going back to the 1950's when the most common reason for going to jail for debt in South Australia was failure to pay medical bills,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, National President, Doctors Reform Society.

 

"Health care costs will go through the roof under proposed changes.

Childbirth could cost almost $10,000 in the not so distant future and that would mean a $2,000 co-payment for young couples. Those suffering chronic illness will face big costs and this proposal will be of no help if they are struggling before they reach the safety net", said Dr Woodruff.

 

"Pensioners and mothers with young children will have to wait behind the full-fee-paying-patients, who will be given appointments and probably even separate waiting rooms, under the proposed changes".

 

"Just as the federal government's 30% private health insurance allows queue jumping for wealthier people in the hospital system, so they now want to allow the wealthy to jump the queue in the doctor’s office" said Dr Woodruff.

 

"We call on the opposition parties to block this anti-Medicare legislation and any further moves toward an expensive US style user pays health system.”

 

We fully support today’s call by the Greens that the $5 increase in the Medicare bulk billing rebate should be for all Australians.  Bulk billing is central to providing all Australians with access to a doctor AND has maintained control on doctors’ fees. Medicare Plus will do the opposite.