It is going to hurt. Taking $3.5 billion out of general practice will be harmful to the health of Australians. Many organisations, including the AMA, RACGP and the Consumers Health Platform, are strongly opposing the revised co-payment plan. They are demanding that the government reverses its decision. There are 3 things you can do to stop the catastrophic plan going ahead.
The government must reverse its co-payment plan, the 4-year Medicare rebate freeze and the changes to the duration of a standard consultation. There are other, better ways to save health dollars.
#1: Support the campaign
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has launched the You & your GP have been targeted campaign.
Health consumers and doctors should all support the campaign!
Here’s what you need to do:
Download the RACGP patient letter or GP letter and send it to:
a) Your local MP (click here to find the address), and/or:
b) Prime Minister Tony Abbott:
The Hon. Tony Abbott, MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Here are some great examples of messages and letters written by GPs.
#2: Share your ideas & suggestions
Political leaders have no idea how to save money in healthcare. Send an email to the RACGP and/or AMA outlining how you think the government could save health dollars without wrecking general practice and affecting the health of millions of Australians, for example by reducing waste and inefficiencies.
Send your email to racgp@racgp.org.au or ama@ama.com.au.
#3: Raise awareness
Use your contacts to spread the word. Download and share the images below via email, social media, blog, or website.
*Update 17/01/14*
The campaign has been a success. Here’s the official message from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners:
16 Jan 2015 — We did it! With the overwhelming support of the Australian community and your 44,500+ signatures, the government has cancelled its plans to cut Medicare rebates by up to $25. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) sincerely thanks all of you for taking the time to sign our petition and send the message that your health, that of your families, and a viable healthcare system matters.
While this is a fantastic achievement, there is more work to be done. The government has made clear it will continue to push forward with its proposals to implement a $5 cut to rebates for most GP services from July 1 and freeze on MBS indexation until 2018.
The RACGP’s ‘You’ve been targeted’ campaign will continue to evolve and we encourage you to stay engaged. Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley has committed to initiating genuine consultations with the profession and the RACGP looks forward to working collaboratively with Government to develop a sustainable future primary healthcare system for all Australians.
Download the RACGP campaign poster here.
Download the AMA campaign poster here.
Reblogged this on karenpriceblog and commented:
A collation of the current funding issues in Australias Health care. A example of why a General Practitioners need to participate in Advocacy. Despite the apparent simplicity of the measures this is a complex debate about the type of society and level of subsidy we feel is culturally appropriate. There are complex philosophical questions about rights and entitlements in an interdependent society. This current political stunt provides an opportunity for reflection and considered response to the economic issues of health care. There is much more at stake than simply how much you pay after attending your Family Doctor.
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DrKP:
As always Ed a thoughtful blog.
A great collation of the current funding issues in Australias Health care. A example of why General Practitioners need to participate in Advocacy. Despite the apparent simplicity of the measures this is a complex debate about the type of society and level of subsidy we feel is culturally appropriate. There are complex philosophical questions about rights and entitlements in an interdependent society. This current political stunt provides an opportunity for reflection and considered response to the economic issues of health care. There is much more at stake than simply how much you pay after attending your Family Doctor. Thanks again for your support of our great profession and for your championing of excellence in patient care.
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Sorry for the double bit. One posted automatically and I can’t seem to delete the first one. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Dr Thinus' musings and commented:
Well worth for Doctors and patients to follow thorugh on this
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The campaign posters miss the mark, they are too complex. Some of them you need a tertiary degree to understand. At worst they may suggest it is about doctors incomes. The profession runs the risk of losing patient empathy.
The message needs to be kept simple. I have been observing the FB likes from practices that are using social media to campaign against the changes. There has not been a strong response yet. in fact it has been quite underwhelming. May be it is the holidays and when they get sick they may take more notice. May be Australian’s are starting to buy into the self entitlement argument or are just apathetic. I am not sure. All I can say is practices better have a plan B.
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The first part of the government’s proposal is off the table, announced by the health minister today – thanks to those who have protested
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