Major Parties on Notice – The AMA releases Election Platform for 2022 campaign
The AMA is putting the two major political parties on notice with the Federal AMA has releasing the 2022 Federal Election Statement.
GPs and General Practice feature heavily in the election platform with the document highlighting what GPs have known for generations – a strong GP-led primary healthcare system keeps people well and saves lives. Despite the clear evidence, consecutive Commonwealth Governments have failed to provide adequate funding for general practice. This election is an opportunity for both major parties to commit to modernising Medicare through reform and the provision of additional funding that will future proof general practice, keeping people healthier and out of hospital.
The AMA is calling for:
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Better healthcare through voluntary patient enrolment (VPE)
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Medicare attendance items reform to support patients to spend more time with their GP
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Reform of the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) to support general practices to employ other health professionals as part of a modern team-based approach to delivering comprehensive care for patient
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A wounds consumables scheme to subsidise the costs of dressings provided in general practice
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Improved financial incentives for GPs to attend residential aged care facilities
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Amendments to Medicare rebates to improve access to after-hour GP services
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Programs and incentives to encourage more doctors to work in general practice.
The AMA will also release a scorecard on both major parties’ health-based election promising at the end of the election campaign. “The AMA’s election platform informs our leaders of what they should introduce as election commitments, if they want to improve healthcare for all Australians and we’ll be calling out where their election promises fall short,” Federal AMA President Dr Khorshid stated.
The AMA’s 2022 Federal Election Statement, outlines measures to improve primary care, public hospitals and private health with an emphasis on universal access to healthcare and harnessing technology for a future sustainable system.
The AMA throughout the election campaign will ensure that the concerns and needs of GPs are heard and addressed by major parties.
