media releases

“The announcement that bulk billing incentives for pathology and radiology will be cut is a kick in the guts to those who struggle daily and weekly with their medical bills”, said Dr Tim Woodruff, Doctors Reform Society. “As doctors we need to have our patients undergo tests to diagnose their problems, to keep them safe when we start potentially dangerous treatments, and to ensure that the treatments we are giving are working properly. These new cuts will just make it harder to give all Australians the care they deserve.”

“Pathology and Radiology companies are businesses. They will pass on the costs of these cuts to patients, and patients will suffer. Whilst former Prime Minister Abbott claimed falsely that copayment s are dead, buried, and cremated, today’s announcement is about the resurrection of copayments, this time for pathology and radiology. This is on top of the inevitable copayments which are already following the freezing of the rebate for GP and specialist services.”

“If savings are really needed, why not do something simple like saving $1 billion per year by paying world market prices for our prescription pharmaceuticals?” asked Dr Woodruff. “The only people who would suffer from that policy would be the pharmaceutical industry and their political friends.”