Doctors have directly contradicted Malcolm Turnbull’s claims that his Medicare Freeze won’t hurt patients.
In a damning indictment of the Turnbull’s Government’s attack on Medicare, the Australian Medical Association warns doctors are saying “enough is enough” and are now being forced to cut bulk billing and lift fees.
AMA PRESIDENT MICHAEL GANNON: We know there are some GPs that are changing their billing practices and that commences today, on July 1. The reality is that there are a lot of GPs who decided they could probably take the hit for a couple of years but they are saying enough’s enough.
[PRESS CONFERENCE, 1 July 2016]
Dr Gannon has put the lie to Malcolm Turnbull’s claims earlier today that his six year Medicare freeze is having no impact on patients.
HOST: But no more cuts. Do you guarantee no more cuts to bulk billing?
TURNBULL: Lisa, there are no cuts to bulk billing.
[TODAY, 1 July 2016]
The Government’s own Budget papers show cuts of $2 billion through freezing Medicare payments for doctors’ visits and another $650 million through cuts to bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging.
Even more alarmingly, Mr Turnbull has today made clear patients will be hit by even more Medicare cuts if his government is re-elected.
Asked three times this morning to rule out further cuts to bulk billing if he is re-elected tomorrow, Mr Turnbull refused to answer.
Mr Turnbull’s election eve lies are a repeat of Tony Abbott’s infamous 2013 election eve pledge of “no cuts to health” – and just as believable.
Mr Turnbull’s cuts will hit the sickest, the poorest and those in rural areas the hardest.
That is why a Shorten Labor Government will reverse Malcolm Turnbull’s GP Tax, abolish Malcom Turnbull’s cuts to bulk billing for pathology and diagnostic imaging and properly fund our public hospitals.
That is why Labor’s health policies have won the backing of health professionals, nurses and the AMA.
GANNON: What we can say is that the Labor Party has stronger policies in areas like bulk billing, in areas like access to pathology and radiology services. For many people, their vote in this election will be on health, there are many areas where the Labor Party has stronger policies.
[PRESS CONFERENCE, 1 July 2016]
Labor created Medicare and Labor will always protect Medicare.
All Australians should be able to access health care when and where they need it. That’s what drives Labor’s health policy.
Tomorrow there is a clear choice for the future of Australia – Malcolm or Medicare.