The recent announcement that the upcoming budget will commit $3 billion over the next 3 years for submarines to prepare for attack of some kind by China stands in complete contrast to Labor’s interest in access to health care, particularly for the most vulnerable in our society”, said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society.
“We have a disaster on our hands”, said Dr Woodruff. “Bulk billing rates are falling and more and more GPs are exasperated by the Government refusing to commit to helping them provide affordable health care. Once a general practice decides it will no longer bulk bill our most needy patients, it is unlikely they will ever go back. The Health Minister refuses to do anything except talk about the May budget with no detail, no commitments, just a vague agreement on commendable changes which will take years to implement.”
“There is an immediate simple solution to demonstrate to our patients and GPs that this so called ‘progressive’ Government is interested in health”, said Dr Woodruff. “It could today increase the already existing incentive for GPs to bulk bill which is currently just $7 per patient. But it refuses, whilst at the same time committing billions to submarines for the future.”
“Patients now or submarines for the unknown future. Sadly the Government’s priorities do not include our patients.”
