THE HON CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MEDICARE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BALLARAT
TURNBULL MUST EXTEND MY HEALTH RECORD OPT-OUT PERIOD
Labor is calling on the Government to extend the three-month opt-out period to give every Australian enough time to make an informed choice about their own records.
The Government must also launch a new comprehensive information campaign to educate the public about the My Health Record.
There has been significant and growing community concern about the My Health Record since the beginning of the opt-out period on 16 July.
The Government has failed to effectively communicate with the public about what the My Health Record is and the potential benefits it could bring. It has also failed to explain to people how their rights will be respected and their privacy protected.
This approach has fueled suspicion and skepticism – which could be why tens of thousands of people rushed to opt out in the first week.
Labor supports e-Health and the My Health Record, but Labor is concerned that the Government’s implementation of the opt-out process has seriously undermined public trust in this important policy.
Implemented properly, this project could deliver significant benefits to clinicians and patients alike, and save our health system billions of dollars.
That’s why Labor began delivering electronic health records when last in office – although our system differed in that it was opt-in.
Labor has now written to Minister Hunt proposing a new information campaign and extension of the opt-out period – the Government needs to immediately act on this.
MONDAY, 23 JULY 2018