Leaked Health Department document exposes policy vacuum
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that yesterday's leaked Health Department document is only the first instalment in the Federal Government's encyclopaedia of 'unfinished business' in the crucial health portfolio.
Dr Phelps said later instalments will chronicle failings such as:
- the dismissal of the Relative Value Study
- inadequate Medicare rebates
- the continuing decline in bulk billing rates which is leading to larger gap payments for patients
- under-funded public hospitals
- an aged care sector shambles
- poor indigenous health outcomes
- wasted advertising on private health 'no gap' schemes
- continuing cost-shifting and blame-shifting between the Commonwealth and the States
- and a general neglect of Medicare.
"The concerns leaked by the Department must be addressed," Dr Phelps said.
"The leaked DHAC document echoes many of the issues raised regularly by the AMA regarding problems in the health system.
"These issues are indicative of the bigger problem and must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
"The Health Minister is quoted today as saying the document 'has no basis in Government'.
"This provides no reassurance to doctors and patients and the health system.
"The appropriate response from both the Government and the Opposition before the election would be sound properly-funded policies that will underpin Medicare well into the future," Dr Phelps said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076