DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Thursday, 14 April 2005

PATIENTS TO FALL THROUGH MEDICARE SAFETY NET

“Today’s announcement that the threshold for the Medicare safety net will be raised sends a clear message to our struggling patients that they cannot rely on Government safety nets to access proper health care,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.

“The real problem for our patients is that the safety net was introduced because the Federal Government does not want to adequately fund Medicare as a universal health insurance scheme,” said Dr Woodruff. “Now it realises that the safety net is the most expensive, inefficient way to enable our patients to get good health care.”

“Its response: raise the threshold, which ensures that, like tax avoidance, the rich will be the major winners of its policy. No suggestion of looking at ways to reduce the gaps patients are forced to pay by specialists rorting the system.” said Dr Woodruff. “As soon as there is any financial pressure, Governments target safety nets to save money, and conveniently forget that they are meant to be helping patients.”

“Last year 29% of Australians surveyed by the Commonwealth Fund cited cost as the reason for not seeing their doctor, having the tests ordered, or filling out prescriptions,” said Dr Woodruff. “Safety nets will not sort that out.  They are just a convenient ploy for a government bent on privatisation of health care and encouraging patients to pay, pay, pay for health care - sometimes with their lives, when they can’t afford to access health services.”

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society

Dr Con Costa

Vice President

Doctors Reform Society