AMA Federal Budget Submission 2003-2004 - AMA calls on Government to get focussed on health policy as a matter of urgency
Launching the AMA Federal Budget Submission 2003-2004 in Canberra today, AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, called on the Federal Government to make health policy its major domestic policy priority as a matter of urgency.
Dr Phelps said the Government had 'dropped the ball' on health and major work is needed to address doctor shortages, medical indemnity, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and equitable access for all Australians to affordable quality health care.
She said the Government must preserve the private health rebate, maintain public hospital funding, increase funding for aged care, veterans care and indigenous health, and commission White Papers on General Practice and the PBS.
Dr Phelps said the AMA is also advocating an increase in the Medicare levy to help cover shortfalls in the health budget.
Dr Phelps said the Australian community would not accept a Federal Budget with no new health spending as forecast by the Government's 'senior Ministers group' in December 2002 .
"While the Government seeks to focus on defence and security issues, it cannot afford to ignore the major domestic policy priority, which is health," Dr Phelps said.
"Australian health policy is at the crossroads.
"Medicare is under threat, bulk billing is dead, and we have towns and suburbs right across Australia without a doctor.
"The Government must drastically rethink its health policy if equitable access to affordable health services is to be maintained for all Australians.
"Without urgent action, the poor, the elderly, the chronically ill, pensioners and low-income families will have difficulty getting to see a doctor.
"The high costs of running a practice, red tape, medical indemnity, and the diminishing appeal of medicine as a career mean that GPs are disappearing from communities never to be replaced."
Dr Phelps said the pillars of the Australian health system need strengthening.
"We must protect and expand the PBS and we must seek bipartisan support for the maintenance of the private health rebate, while ensuring our public hospital system is properly supported.
"These things cost money.
"The Government cannot fob off health in this Budget. There must be new money for health.
"Australians know that universal free health care is not a reality and that they must pay at least part of the cost.
"The AMA recommends an increase in the Medicare levy to help contribute to health budget shortfalls."
Dr Phelps said the Government must ensure all the key areas of health policy must be adequately funded through the 2003-2004 Budget to ensure their effectiveness was not further eroded through Government neglect.
Key areas identified in the AMA Budget Submission are:
- General Practice
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
- Public Hospitals
- Private Health Insurance Rebate
- Veterans' Health
- PBS
- Medical Indemnity
- Aged Care
Each of these areas is covered in more detail in the AMA Federal Budget Submission 2003/04.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306