Doctor Groups Give In-Principle Endorsement Of Full Implementation Of Relative Value Study (RVS)
A meeting of peak medical professional groups in Canberra today unanimously gave their in-principle endorsement of the full implementation of the Relative Value Study (RVS).
The RVS is a six-year study by the Government and the AMA into the Medicare Benefits Schedule fees.
Following the meeting, the President of the AMA, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said the RVS endorsement represented a strong united position from the medical profession and will send a strong message to the Government and the Opposition.
"Full implementation - and funding - of the RVS is crucial to the survival of Medicare," Dr Phelps said.
"The groups will continue working together in the lead-up to the May Budget to lobby the Government for appropriate funding for the RVS for November implementation."
Groups in attendance at today's meeting included the Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Australian Society of Anaesthetists, Australian Association of Consultant Physicians, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.