DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

AMA PUTS DOCTORS FIRST, PATIENTS LAST WITH ATTACKS ON MEDICARE GOLD

“The attacks on Medicare Gold by the AMA reflect a very sad tradition from that organisation,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society. “This is a tradition which started with fierce resistance to the introduction of Medicare and shows now as unbalanced criticism of policy directed at helping struggling elderly patients”

“Despite the fact that the Coalition has NO policy on how to help those over 75 accessing public hospitals, the AMA continues to criticise the Labor Party’s Medicare Gold, a policy which is at least a recognition that 60% of people over 75 years don’t have private health insurance and wait years for treatment at public hospitals.”

“One would have to be suspicious that the huge unconditional salary increases to GPs through the increased rebates, and the wonderful uncontrolled safety net which allows well paid specialists to make even more money, have together successfully bought the AMA and put them firmly in the pocket of the Coalition,” said Dr Woodruff.

“Where is the concern FOR PATIENTS from the Doctors Union, ie the AMA, in this continued, desperate unbalanced criticism?,” asked Dr Woodruff.

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa

Vice President

Doctors Reform Society