DRS

DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Tuesday, 2 February 2004

Media Release

Doctors Give Half Eaten Medicare Cake to Mr Abbott

 

The Doctors Reform Society today will celebrate the 20' Anniversary of Medicare by sending a half eaten Medicare birthday cake  

to the federal Minister of Health Mr Tony Abbott to symbolize the destruction to Medicare that has occurred in the last 7 years. 

 "Medicare has been progressively destroyed by the Federal Government over the last 7 years by under funding. 

Bulk billing is disappearing and patients are dying unnecessarily in public hospitals due to insufficient federal government funding.

$3 billion dollars a year is being wasted by the Federal Government on a subsidy for the private health insurance industry,

said Dr Con Costa Vice President of Doctors Reform Society. "

Mr Abbott now has conceded that Medicare is no longer a universal health insurance system by trying to introduce a means tested safety net .

It is indeed a sad 20th birthday for Medicare, more like a wake than a birthday,. said Dr Con Costa. 

 

 

Dr Con Costa

Vice President

Doctors Reform Society

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Doctors Reform Society