media releases

FAIR GO FOR HEALTH
CARE DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH YOU EARN

Major political parties continue to ignore the fact that poor people are sicker because they are poor, said Dr Tracy Schrader, president, Doctors Reform Society. Neither the Federal Government or the Coalition have acknowledged or responded to the findings of the recent Senate Inquiry into the Social Determinants of Health ie all those things, many of
which are outside the health system, thath have huge impacts on whether people
die or suffer from all manner of diseases.

As John Brumby says in his covering letter to the PM on the COAG Reform Council report on healthcare performance””Australians are also continuing to experience health inequities based on who they are, how much they earn and where they live…”

This is not new news. Patients suffer and die because they are poor. They can’t afford copayments, they have to wait too long for care, they put off seeking care, they can’t afford proper food, can’t get the education which helps them get a well paying secure job, can’t afford a good roof over their heads.

Why is it then that the ‘greatest health reforms since Medicare was introduced’ as the Government claims regarding its reforms, have ignored cost barriers to access care and all the other social determinants of health?. Why is the Coalition so silent on these issues in the lead up to anelection?

We call on the Government and the Opposition to acknowledge these issues as crucial to achieving a fair go for the health of all Australians, and tell us what they propose to do about these issues over the next 3 years.

Dr Tracy Schrader    Dr Tim Woodruff  

President  Vice President      

Doctors Reform Society     Ph 0401042619

Ph 0408892610

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