Thu 27th Mar 2025
Doctors Welcome Band-aids, but Medicare needs Major Surgery
“The budget has highlighted a range of Medicare changes all previously released. They are welcome changes,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, Vice President of the Doctors Reform Society. “But the Health Minister has announced almost nothing to address the structural reforms needed to update Medicare, reforms which he announced as Chair of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce in early 2023.”
Instead of genuine reform, we are getting band-aids, welcome indeed, but failing to address what is needed into the future. As his Taskforce recommended,
“Support general practice in management of complex chronic disease through blended funding models integrated with fee-for-service”
“The Taskforce made many recommendations that would help achieve the goal of efficiently funding a high quality, 21st century primary health care system,” said Dr Woodruff. “Most have not been acted upon. Medicare needs major surgery, not just extra bulk billing payment and cheaper drugs, and this budget is a missed opportunity to kick-start the process.”
Dr Tim Woodruff Dr Scott Douglas
Vice President President
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