Smartcard not so smart - AMA
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that the hastily cobbled-together Medicare Smartcard launched in Tasmania by Tony Abbott today is not such a smart idea.
Dr Glasson said the Government has been secretly developing this Smartcard since November last year but has not discussed it with the AMA or any other interested parties.
"There are serious security and privacy issues involved with the Smartcard," Dr Glasson said.
"Australians value their privacy so they would have real concerns that an identification number embedded in their Medicare Smartcard could be used to provide links to other personal and private information.
"It is a shame to see a potentially valuable resource for doctors and patients poorly conceived and constructed in the rush of pre-election fever.
"I just hope today's not-so-smart-Card does not jeopardise the development of a genuinely useful Smartcard that securely protects the privacy of patients' health information.
"A really smart Smartcard would only be used for specific health purposes and could not be linked to other personal information.
"A really smart Smartcard would be the product of consultation and agreement between Governments, patients, consumer groups and the medical profession.
"I suggest the Government immediately initiates broad consultation and takes the advice of the Roman historian, Suetonius, and 'hasten slowly'.
"Today's Smartcard launch is a wasted opportunity that cannot be excused by pre-election enthusiasm," Dr Glasson said.