DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

DRS

Media Release

Tuesday, 30 October 2007

TAX CUTS OR BETTER SERVICES: WHICH POLITICIANS CARE?

 

 “As we await a public debate between Tony Abbott, the Health Minister and Nicola Roxon, the Shadow Minister, these questions must be asked,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.

"In the face of overwhelming evidence that our public hospitals and public health system are under enormous strain, which politicians are prepared to commit to the immediate and long term survival and strengthening of our public hospital and health system?”

“Which politicians will continue to play the blame game and confuse the electorate with the claim that they can provide massive taxpayer support for the private health system, maintain a quality public system for all AND provide massive personal tax cuts?”

“Who amongst them will be the first to accept that the public are way ahead of them in wanting quality public hospital and health services, not our taxes spent on propping up the expensive and inequitable private health system or personal tax cuts that will quickly be eaten up by escalating private health costs or escalating out of pocket expenses for public patients ?”

“Who amongst these politicians will realise that the public knows that tax cuts, no matter how large, will be of no use at all when Australians find themselves in a public emergency department which is under-resourced and overcrowded?”

“We are at a cross-roads,” said Dr Woodruff. “The alternatives are an expensive American style ‘Sicko’ health system with a growing infant mortality rate and bankruptcy a common occurrence amongst the sick desperately trying to pay medical bills, or a stronger public system delivering world class care to all Australians based on need and irrespective of their credit card.”

“After 11 years of health policy emphasising "the market" and an increased role for the private sector, the situation is desperate but not irredeemable.”

“We call on the politicians to stop confusing the electorate and to commit to policies which recognise Australians want and deserve a quality public health system - not more private insurance that is no use in an emergency or when you are really sick, or personal tax cuts that will be quickly swamped by exorbitant private health costs and an inflationary economic spiral.”

“Australia deserves better. Our patients and their carers deserve better.”