June quarter 2003 GP bulk billing rates
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that the June 2003 quarter GP bulk billing rate shows no change from the previous quarter, remaining at 68.5 per cent, indicating no improvement in the access and affordability of GP services for patients.
However, it is down significantly from 73.9 per cent in the June quarter 2002 - a drop of 5.4 per cent.
Dr Glasson said the bulk billing figures are now a totally irrelevant barometer of patient access to quality affordable primary care.
"The reality is far worse than these figures show and nobody should take any comfort from them," Dr Glasson said.
"The only relevance in these are that they indicate a pause before the bulk billing graph heads dramatically south again.
"The simple fact of the matter is that the Medicare patient rebate does not go anywhere near covering the costs of providing the service.
"Doctors can no longer afford to subsidise Medicare. If the Government won't properly fund Medicare, the burden falls onto the patients.
"Patients are paying more for their health services because of Government neglect and this will become more evident over the next 12 months.
"GPs are facing higher indemnity costs and are currently being hit with HIC invoices for the unfair and unjust IBNR levy.
"These are costs the Government prefers to have passed on to patients and their impact will show up in the September and December quarter figures.
"Access and affordability are the big issues now. Both the Government and the Opposition need to improve their respective Medicare policies before the next election.
"Patients know that they have to pay more for health because Medicare can no longer do it. Patients - voters - are more concerned about finding a doctor locally whenever they need one," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306