DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

DRS

Media Release

May 14, 2008

 

VESTED INTERESTS ON THE ATTACK FOR RUDD’S HEALTH BUDGET.

 

 “The response of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) to the increase in the Medicare Levy Surcharge threshold demonstrates clearly that it believes only those Australians able to pay their doctors privately deserve decent health care. The AMA’s President today became more desperate suggesting that patients may not get radiation therapy for their cancer treatment if they drop out of PHI, is self interested scaremongering at its worst,” said Dr Woodruff. “The reality is actually the other way around. When you are put in an ambulance, you will inevitably end up at a public hospital. This is no different if you are a member of the Packer family or a victim of the Bali bombing.”

“The first Rudd budget is a move in the right direction for the public health system. It partially addresses the need for increased funding and support for our valuable public system. It also acknowledges the reality that all Australians depend on the public health system which provides a high standard of care at much more efficient levels than the private system and a step towards rekindling confidence of the public, nurses and doctors in our great public health system.”

“What is probably NOT surprising is the venom coming from the private vested interests and their false moral imperative that people who do not take out PHI or use the inefficient, expensive private system, are bludging on the public system. People have every right to pick which system they prefer without being penalised for NOT picking the system which most rewards the doctors” said Dr Woodruff. “The government is to be congratulated in its early show of sound economic decision making on health and meeting the needs of the public, rather than those of the vested interests