Safety net must go through the Senate
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today repeats the AMA's call for the Senate to pass the Medicare Plus safety net provisions, tomorrow.
Dr Glasson said the AMA fully supports the safety net provision, saying it will go a long way to addressing AMA concerns about the cost of medical care for patients facing major health expenditure, often on a very limited budget.
"The safety net provisions will help protect the poorest and sickest people in the community from crippling medical expenses by putting a lid on out-of-pocket expenses," Dr Glasson said.
"The provisions are essential for people suffering from chronic illness and for those who need ongoing medication.
'It will also help with blood tests, X-rays and other expenses. These costs can be a source of anxiety at a time when families can least afford them.
"The safety net will help protect Australians from the American situation where people go bankrupt trying to meet their medical bills.
"Free access to all medical services for all Australians is not possible without a massive increase in Medicare funding.
"In the absence of a realistic Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS), which should reflect the true cost of providing medical care, the safety net will help patients facing otherwise unaffordable costs in the short term," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306