Dr Kerryn Phelps, AMA President - ABC Radio News
NEWSREADER: The AMA says Australia's immigration program inhumanely treats some asylum seekers. Richard Davis reports the Association has called for all asylum seekers to be given access to Medicare.
REPORTER: AMA president Kerryn Phelps says many asylum seekers are unable to access basic health care. Doctor Phelps says some are suffering inhumane conditions and are among the most disadvantaged people in the community.
PHELPS: The current system is most non-compassionate and while on the one hand I think that we have to be careful about our precious health resources, I think on the other hand we have to make sure that our policies are humane.
REPORTER: Doctor Phelps will meet the Immigration Minister later today. She'll ask Philip Ruddock to consider offering temporary Medicare cards to asylum seekers.
A spokesman for Mr Ruddock says there is widespread abuse of the asylum system and taxpayers shouldn't have to support that abuse.
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