published letters

A radical idea to improve access to health care across the nation is being discussed. It proposes that doctors would be unable to access Medicare if they set up practice in an area of oversupply, such as rich suburbs. This would then encourage doctors to work in areas of undersupply in order to access Medicare benefits. It also proposed that if doctors wanted to get Medicare rebates they might need to bulk bill patients. It comes with a requirement that rebates be determined by an independent Pricing Tribunal.
Whilst radical, it is based on a very mainstream principle that health care should be available to all irrespective of income or geography.

The Australian Medical Association came out strongly claiming doctors would be forced to bulk bill. Doctors could still have a purely private practice wherever they want but might not get Medicare funding. That’s how it is for many in the USA and some in the UK and for patients in Australia who don’t’ have a Medicare card.

What a progressive idea.