10 March 2004

No guarantees in Medicare deal struck with independents

The Australian Nursing Federation today expressed disappointment in the deal struck by the independents and the Federal Government over MedicarePlus and said that despite the deal, there were still no guarantees the most vulnerable members of the Australian community would actually benefit.

‘Even though the incentive to bulk bill concession card holders and children under 16 will increase from $5 to $7.50 in rural areas, there is no guarantee that general practitioners in these areas actually will bulk bill,’ ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said.

‘The proposed changes to Medicare abandon the principle of equity and create divisions within Australian society. Australians voted for this Government on the basis they would preserve Medicare intact. Instead of thinking of Medicare as a safety net, the government needs to change its thinking to seeing Medicare as a universal insurance system with equal benefits for all.

‘The cost of the extras secured by the independents is $427.5 million. It would only cost $500 million a year to increase the rebate for all bulk billed services by $5.00 so that everyone benefits.

‘When health care costs are rapidly increasing as a percentage of Government spending, it is hard to comprehend why the Federal Government would enter into another uncapped scheme. Agreeing to pay 80% of additional costs beyond the safety net and then allowing doctors to charge what they like is incomprehensible. You would have thought the Federal Government had learned their lesson with the blow-out in the cost of the private health insurance rebate.

‘The inability of the independents to convince the Federal Government of the need for a comprehensive dental scheme for older people, pensioners and children is a significant disappointment. And $220 for a program of dental treatment won’t go far for those lucky few who their doctor decides need dental care.

‘It’s hard not to feel cynical when you see that two of the independents who struck the deal are from Tasmania and the whole of Tasmania is able to access the $7.50 rebate restricted to rural and remote areas in other states and territories. If it is good enough for people living in the metropolitan areas of Tasmania, it should be good enough for all Australians. Anyone would think it was an election year!’ Ms Iliffe said.

Media inquiries:
Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Gerardine (Ged) Cowin, Assistant Federal Secretary 0417 053 322
Heather Witham, Federal Communications Officer 0417 359 907