Both sides fiddle while Medicare burns

"The AMA has maintained for some time that the key to kickstarting Medicare is to address the structural deficiencies leading to higher gap payments for patients by significantly increasing the Medicare rebate under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)," Dr Phelps said.

"Last week the Coalition made it clear that the MBS is not a priority for them. Today, Labor did the same.

"They have acknowledged the issues but have offered nothing to address the accelerating decline in bulk billing.

"Both sides have chosen to play the short term bidding game rather than try to fix Medicare for the longer term.

"Now that both sides have lowered the bar for health policy in this election, we must now choose which party has fiddled around the edges of health policy the best."

Dr Phelps said there are some positives in Labor's policy:

We welcome attention to the after hours dilemma created by erosion of remuneration for after hours work and safety concerns. However, we need to see more detail of the proposal and would recommend limited pilot programming in consultation with the medical profession before large dollars are spent. The AMA is pleased that this policy does not involve any compulsion on GPs.

Labor's medical indemnity initiatives respond, in the most part, to the AMA's call for action to stop medical services - particularly obstetrics - being lost to country areas.

The review of GP red tape is welcome, although we are concerned that the ALP's Private Members Bill on corporatised medicine will add to the red tape.

An in-depth review of GP training is essential. Supervised training of doctors in urban areas of need is supported, as is a focus on safe working hours for young doctors. The AMA remains concerned that the continued use of overseas trained doctors and trainees in areas of need will not solve the long-term requirements of those areas.

The AMA supports reform of PBAC.

The AMA welcomes Labor's support of the review of the Trade Practices Act on rural doctors.

The AMA welcomes Labor's commitment to 'work with doctor organisations to build a new vision for general practice'.

It is hoped that Labor's $10 cap on gifts and entertainment to doctors is extended to cover MPs and Senators.

Dr Phelps said Labor's proposed Medicare Alliance with the States looks good on paper but time will tell if all parties are serious about it.

"The Medicare Alliance would have more teeth if Labor legislated the principles to ensure its objectives would be preserved should there be a change of government at the Federal or State level.

"I'd also encourage Labor to abandon the GP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and look to a more inclusive consultative process based around the RVS.

"Only then will something positive be done about addressing the bulk billing decline, higher patient gap payments, and worsening working conditions for doctors," Dr Phelps said.

The AMA will conduct a detailed review and costing of all aspects of Labor's and the Coalition's health policies and produce a report card before Election Day.

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076