AMA urges Government to scrap the cap
YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR – YOUR MEDICAL HOME
AMA Family Doctor Week 15-21 July 2013
The AMA has warned that it will be much harder for family doctors to maintain world best practice in the quality of patient care unless the Government reverses its decision to cap tax deductions for work-related self-education expenses.
The Government intends to limit cap tax deductions for work-related self-education expenses to $2000 from 1 July next year.
AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said self-education for family doctors was crucial to ensuring Australian patients had access to high quality front line primary care services, but cautioned the cap was a tax on learning that would make it difficult for GPs to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge.
“The Government has not thought through the impact of these changes,” Dr Hambleton said.
“Family doctors are often the first point of call in the health system and they must keep abreast of the latest advancements in diagnosis, medication and treatment to provide the best possible care to save lives and improve the quality of life for their patients.
“The cap will potentially restrain the ability of GPs to improve their medical knowledge and skills.
“Family doctors spend the cap multiple times over every year.
“Rural and remote family doctors will be hit particularly hard by the changes because they are unable to access the training they need locally.
“If the cap is not reversed, it will inevitably lead to increased costs for patients and the health system.
Join the campaign to fight the $2000 cap on self-education at #ScrapTheCap http://www.scrapthecap.com.au/
AMA Family Doctor Week is sponsored by Australian General Practice Training.
15 July 2013
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753
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