Media release

Greens show leadership on MBS indexation

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today congratulated the Australian Greens on showing health policy leadership with their policy to restore Medicare Benefits Schedule indexation and return more than $600 million in Medicare funding.

The Greens’ health spokesman, Senator Dr Richard Di Natale, made the announcement at the Tasmanian Health Conference in Hobart this morning.

Dr Hambleton said that the Greens, through Dr Di Natale, understood clearly that the MBS indexation freeze penalised patients by adding to family health care costs.

“The Greens' announcement demonstrates a clear understanding of the negative impacts of the Government’s Budget health decisions and displays great empathy with the health needs of Australian families,” Dr Hambleton said.

“The MBS freeze and other Budget measures shifted the health cost burden to patients.

“As a result, families are paying higher out-of-pocket costs for their health care, which will ultimately make it more difficult to access medical services when they need them.

“The Government’s Budget decisions were short-sighted.

“The Greens have today showed they have a long-term view about the sustainability of the health care system and the ability of families to get quality primary health care where and when they need it.

“The AMA calls on the Government and the Opposition to match today’s commitment from the Greens,” Dr Hambleton said.

 


27 July 2013

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                            Kirsty Waterford                  02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

 

Follow the AMA Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ama_media
Follow the AMA President on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident
Follow Australian Medicine on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amaausmed

 

 

 

 

Media Contacts

Federal 

 02 6270 5478
 0427 209 753
 media@ama.com.au

Follow the AMA

 @ama_media
 @amapresident
‌ @AustralianMedicalAssociation