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5th Jan 2015
New Year same approach implications of the fed govts confidence trick on medicare
Source: CrikeyFirst published: Monday, January 5, 2015
12th Dec 2014
This GP price signal will work – that’s frightening
Source: ABC The DrumFirst published: Friday, December 12, 2014
24th Jul 2014
The real agenda: Privatisation and safety nets, not co-payments
Source: Croakey July 23rdFirst published: Thursday, July 24, 2014
THE REAL AGENDA: PRIVATISATION AND SAFETY NETS, NOT COPAYMENTS.
Much has been written about the proposed copayments for health care. It has surprised many that the Federal Government has pushed so hard so fast to attack bulk billing and to increase user pays funding of health services. This has led to a superficial unity of resistance to the changes. But these proposals need to be seen in both a historical perspective and alongside the other less publicised proposals and suggestions from the Government.
12th Jul 2014
Killer Copayments and the Murder of Medicare
Source: Edited presentation to ACOSS National Coference June 2014First published: Thursday, June 12, 2014
7th Jan 2014
Dental health: roadblocks to progress
Source: CroakeyFirst published: Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Dental Health: Roadblocks to Progress
A four-point plan for advancing equitable dental reform
GP co-payments not the real answer
Sydney Morning HeraldFirst published: Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Healthcare: GP co-payments not the real answer – there are far better ways to put budget back in shape
By: Tim Woodruff
The recent proposal to introduce a co-payment for GP visits has ignited debate about the financing of – and principles underlying – the health system.
A new tax on illness
Source: ABC The DrumFirst published: Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Making patients pay out-of-pocket for visits to the doctor is cruel and discriminatory, having most effect on the disadvantaged, writes Tim Woodruff.
A proposal being considered by the Abbott Government to introduce copayments for GP visits is economically dumb in addition to being heartless.
31st Dec 2013
Dental: does the government have a vision
Source: ABC The DrumFirst published: Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Recently a patient came to me for treatment of her rheumatoid arthritis. She’s 42, a single mum with 2 kids, surviving on a pension which she is about to lose as her youngest is 8 years old and budget changes mean she has to work or go on Newstart. Her teeth are terrible. For the last 3 years she has required antibiotics for tooth infections about every 6 months. I can treat her arthritis and there’s a good chance I can get her well enough to go to work, but only a modest chance I can return her to a pain free existence (and that will be with prescription drugs for years). She is one of the 400,000 people on waiting lists for public dental care. Because of her serious dental disease her risk of heart disease may be up to twice normal. There’s even weak evidence suggesting dental disease may play a role in causing her rheumatoid arthritis. Now that she has a chronic disease she can get $4000 of dental work done under the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS). Better late than never. Even without that she may be one of those set to benefit from the recent Federal budget announcement of a $350 million package over 3 years to address the appalling waiting list for public dental care.