RVS offers a lifeline to Government on bulk billing and doctor shortages
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that doctors and patients welcome the renewed interest in the Relative Value Study (RVS) as the key to preserving Medicare and ensuring that patients will not have to face ever increasing out-of-pocket expenses for important medical services.
Dr Phelps said the letter from all State and Territory Health Ministers to Federal Health Minister, Senator Kay Patterson, endorses the AMA's long-running campaign to have the Federal Government implement the findings of the RVS.
"The RVS lives," Dr Phelps said.
"It has risen from the grave upon which former Health Minister, Dr Wooldridge, danced every day until he left office at the last election.
"The RVS represents the best opportunity in a generation for the Government to put flesh back on the bones of a decaying Medicare.
"There would be a domino effect following an initial considerable RVS funding injection to the health system.
"By addressing the inadequacy of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) patient rebate, there would be, over time, a positive effect on medical workforce shortages in areas of need and the pressure on public hospital accident and emergency departments would ease.
"The Government has a wonderful opportunity to ensure the viability of Medicare for this and the next generation of Australians," Dr Phelps said.
In March 2001, in presenting the AMA's Budget submission, Dr Phelps said:
"Anything less than full implementation of the RVS - and its recommendations on the fee schedule that holds Medicare together - would be fiddling at the edges and an admission that the Government is not committed to Medicare…Without it, Medicare will gradually become unworkable, leaving millions of low income Australians vulnerable."
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076