published letters

Published in The Age on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

As predicted (Australian 14/4), the funding of psychologists through fee for service is demonstrably inequitable with only 30% of consultations being bulk billed. The most needy are missing out despite the clear benefits to some. Additionally, the money for psychologists can only go to areas where there are doctors and psychologists so the least money goes to areas of workforce shortage which is just where the most needy patients are. The inverse care law: the most money goes to the least needy, the least money goes to the most needy, is alive and well. It’s time to look at how we fund not just psychologists, but doctors, physiotherapists, and other health providers. It’s time to recognize the basic inequity flaw underlying fee for service distribution of government health spending.

Dr Tim Woodruff
President
Doctors Reform Society