Government goes AWOL on Veterans' Health
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that veterans' health is not a priority for the Government following the Cabinet decision to refer proposed funding increases for medical services under the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (RPPS) to an inter-departmental committee.
The AMA has been lobbying the Government for months to increase funding for all medical services provided to veterans under the RPPS in private hospitals and doctors' rooms, and has consulted the RSL on the issue. The RSL National Congress yesterday called on the Government to maintain choice of doctor for veterans and increase remuneration for doctors under the RPPS.
"The Government has promised veterans with Gold Cards free access to private medical care by doctors in private hospitals and doctor's rooms, but it seems that Cabinet has baulked at the cost of maintaining the scheme at current high standards," Dr Phelps said.
"But what price the health of our veterans? These people put their lives on the line. The Gold Card is not a handout; it is justifiable compensation for serving the country at times of conflict. But instead of a Gold Card, our veterans are being dealt a dud hand.
"The AMA has made every effort to bring the issues associated with specialist fees under the RPPS to the Government's attention.
"We have also ensured that specialist withdrawals from the RPPS remained at a minimum.
"Specialists have stayed with the scheme in good faith, but doctors can no longer afford to provide these services at current RPPS rates.
"Unless the Government acts to increase fees above the outdated Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), the dam will break.
"Veterans' health will be the big loser and the Federal Government will have to bear the blame and the backlash from the veterans' community.
"AMA members will be informed of the ill-advised Cabinet decision on the RPPS and doctors will make their own decisions about ongoing participation in the scheme.
"In the meantime, the AMA will continue to lobby the Government to preserve quality health care for Australia's veterans," Dr Phelps said.
The AMA is polling thousands of GPs about their participation in the underfunded veterans' GP program and the results of that poll should be available next week.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076