Media Release
23 April 2004
HEALTHCARE REFORM: MARKET FORCES OR PATIENT CARE?
Will Patients Have To Buy or Die?
“Federal and State Health Ministers are today being asked to consider a proposal for health care reform which is about valuing patients not market forces,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society. “This will be a major challenge for the Federal Health Minister whose recent comments indicate that the idea of a single national funder for healthcare has some appeal but also that he sees healthcare as just another business to be exposed to market forces.”
“The major structural reform proposed by the Australian HealthCare Reform Alliance (AHCRA) is for a single national funder, but with an underpinning of such reform by a commitment to principles of universality, access based on need, and taxpayer funding of health services,” said Dr Woodruff.
“The proposal asks the question for the Coalition and for the State Health Ministers, `Is their commitment to health care about patient care or about care for the principles of the free market?`”
“Will our patients have be faced with a decision to `Buy or Die’ as our health system is forced into the deadly free market?” asked Dr Woodruff
“The lack of support for the proposal from the AMA is a sad reflection that they see Tony Abbott’s market forces for health care as more important than the patient centred principles,” said Dr Woodruff. “Their stand is reminiscent of their vehement opposition to the introduction of Medicare”.
Dr Con Costa
Vice President
Doctors Reform Society
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Dr Tim Woodruff
President
Doctors Reform Society
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Dr Tracy Schrader Vice President Doctors Reform Society
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For further information please contact the Doctors Reform Society during business hours
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