Tony Abbott’s four year freeze on doctors’ rebates will drive down bulk billing and could have an even greater impact than its original GP Tax, a damning Senate report has found.
The inquiry found that despite the government dropping its original proposal for a compulsory $7 Tax on all visits to a GP, the Abbott Government’s assault on primary healthcare was continuing.
“The indexation freeze is likely to be felt even more acutely, especially for vulnerable patients.”
Senate Select Committee on Health Interim 2nd Report Page xiii
The inquiry reported research undertaken by the University of Sydney and reported in the respected Medical Journal of Australia that the freeze would ultimately lead to a co-payment for non-concessional patients of $8.43 – considerably higher than the original $7 GP Tax.
As AMA Vice-President Dr Stephen Parnis told the committee
“Inevitably doctors will have to make decisions to change the way in which they bill – effectively, asking patients to make a contribution where the government is not. We believe that bulk billing rates will diminish.”
Senate Select Committee on Health Interim 2nd Report Page xiii
The committee also heard repeated concerns from numerous health organisations that the Abbott Government’s single minded focus on cutting health funding with little or no concern for health outcomes was damaging Australia’s primary health care system.
“Despite the arguments of the RACGP, AHCRA, health economists, and the public health community advocates, the Government continues to produce policy that is at odds with the evidence given by experts in Australia’s primary healthcare system.”
Senate Select Committee on Health Interim Report Page xv
On every level, the committee has found Tony Abbott’s budget continues to be a disaster for health and that “the Abbott Government has no long term strategic policy plan for positive healthcare reform in Australia.