Federal Election 2001: AMA Informs Talkback Hosts on Health Policy

The AMA kit provides simple summaries of key health issues for this campaign, including:

Public hospital funding

Aged care

Outdated and inadequate Medicare rebates that lead to increasing gaps being paid by patients for their health services

Indigenous health

Doctor shortages in areas of need like country towns and outer suburbs

Medical Indemnity

Privacy.

Dr Phelps said talkback radio reaches millions of voters.

"It is important that people know early in this election campaign what to expect on health policy from the major parties and their local candidates.

"It is important that voters know who is committed to Medicare so they can vote accordingly," Dr Phelps said.

In the meantime, Dr Phelps this week continues her visits to regional electorates. Following recent successful visits to Nowra, Bendigo and Ballarat, Dr Phelps this week visits Taree, Port Macquarie and Laurieton on NSW's mid-north coast.

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076

SAMPLE LETTER

Australian Medical Association Limited

ABN 37 008 426 793

42 Macquarie Street, Barton ACT 2600: PO Box E115, Kingston ACT 2604

Telephone: (02) 6270 5400 Facsimile (02) 6270 5499

Website : /

President: Dr Kerryn Phelps

Secretary General: Dr Robert Bain

10 October 2001

John Laws

Radio 2UE 954

176 Pacific Highway

Greenwich NSW 2065

Dear John

Health is the Number One domestic issue in this year's Federal election.

Australian voters are yet to see what the major parties are offering on health policy.

What are they going to do about our public hospitals?

What are their plans to put care and compassion into aged care now and for the future to cater for Australia's ageing population? Ask them the question: would they like their Mum or Dad or Grandma or Grandpa going into a nursing home today?

What are they going to do to address the increasing gaps being paid by patients for their health services because of an outdated and deficient Medicare Benefits Schedule?

These and more questions (see attached) need to be answered by our political leaders to give Australian voters a reason to vote for them on health policy at this election.

Please don't let them slip and slide when they're on your show.

I have enclosed a summary of health priorities as the AMA sees them - and this is the way that Australia's doctors and their patients have raised the issues based on their personal experiences in our hospitals and local communities every day.

If you want expert opinion on health policy this election, I or another of the AMA's experts will be available for comment.

Just call AMA Public Affairs on 02 6270 5493.

Yours sincerely

Dr Kerryn Phelps

Federal AMA President

Attachments: Media Release, Answers Needed on Major Health Policy Questions

Document, AMA Key Health Issues for the 2001 Election

…and that's not all…PLUS an exclusive AMA Election 2001 cap!!