The government has capitulated and scrapped its plans to next week cut the Medicare rebate by $20 for short visits to the doctor after a fierce backlash by doctors and non-government Senators, who vowed to veto the measure.
In her first act as the new Health Minister, Sussan Ley broke her holidays to announce on Thursday that the cuts - quietly introduced by her predecessor Peter Dutton late last year - are now "off the table".
The backdown comes just 24 hours after Prime Minister Tony Abbott had strongly defended the measure as an "economic reform" that would lead to better patient care by busting the so-called practice of "six minute medicine" where short appointments are scheduled to maximise the number of taxpayer subsidies received.
Australian Medical Association President Brian Owler said the government's announcement was a "welcome surprise".
"I think common sense has prevailed and the minister and PM have ended the uncertainty about these changes and now are going to embark on the process of consultation that the AMA has requested all along they do," he said.
Medicare becomes election issue in Queensland
The rebate changes were roundly criticised and today the Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, who is facing an election this month, voiced his opposition. Newman warned the move would drive more patients to emergency departments.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the government's health policy is now a "complete shambles".
"Only yesterday Tony Abbott was insisting the new GP tax by stealth would not be abandoned," he said.
 |
| Andrew Dyson in the Age |
The backdown comes just 24 hours after Prime Minister Tony Abbott had strongly defended the measure as an "economic reform" that would lead to better patient care by busting the so-called practice of "six minute medicine" where short appointments are scheduled to maximise the number of taxpayer subsidies received.
Australian Medical Association President Brian Owler said the government's announcement was a "welcome surprise".
"I think common sense has prevailed and the minister and PM have ended the uncertainty about these changes and now are going to embark on the process of consultation that the AMA has requested all along they do," he said.
Medicare becomes election issue in Queensland
The rebate changes were roundly criticised and today the Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, who is facing an election this month, voiced his opposition. Newman warned the move would drive more patients to emergency departments.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the government's health policy is now a "complete shambles".
"Only yesterday Tony Abbott was insisting the new GP tax by stealth would not be abandoned," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment