Tue 23rd Oct 2012
Real dental reform package welcome
29th August 2012
REAL DENTAL REFORM PACKAGE WELCOME
“The joint announcement today by Minister Plibersek and Green’s health spokesperson Di Natale of a new dental reform package is welcome and long overdue,” said Dr Tracy Schrader, president, Doctors Reform Society.
“The package targets the most vulnerable 60% of children through a capped fee for service scheme run by the Federal Government and the most vulnerable 30% of adults through an expanded State public dental service.”
“This is a better directed scheme than previously but it does not commit to any extra funding and nor is there any commitment to a progression towards a universal access scheme”, said Dr Schrader. “Thus, despite this being clearly better than the existing schemes, there will remain many people struggling to access dental services when needed.”
“The lack of commitment to a future universal access scheme is puzzling for a party which introduced Medicare decades ago with such an aim in mind for medical services.”
“The question must be asked: Does the current Labor Party believe in equity?”
Dr Tracy Schrader Dr Tim Woodruff
President Vice President
Doctors Reform Society Ph 0401042619
Ph 0408892610
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