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Autumn 2004

Howard's Medicare deal gives up on bulk-billing

THE HOWARD Government’s Medicare safety net changes are clear evidence they have now abandoned a universal health care system.

HACSU State Secretary, Chris Brown, said he was very disappointed the Howard Government had refused to try to restore bulkbilling for all GP visits, and that both Tasmanian Independent Senators had joined with Health Minister, Tony Abbott, in setting up a blatantly unfair two-tiered health system.

"Although there were some benefits for Tasmania, the thinking of these independent Senators, Brian Harradine and Shane Murphy, was very short sighted," Chris Brown said. "For the sake of a few short term benefits they voted to undermine the fundamental integrity of the Medicare system."

ACTU President, Sharan Burrows, also strongly criticized the changes to Medicare, saying single working people earning as little as $340 a week are not eligible for a concession card and will not receive a bulkbilling subsidy under this deal.

"This means low income working people who don't have children will be lumped together with millionaires, and have to pay an extra $700 a year before they qualify for the safety net," Sharan said.

"The Independent Senators are now as guilty as the Howard Government in ripping the heart out of Medicare - the universality of bulk-billing."

"The new deal is clearly discriminatory and unfair."

"There is also a different safety net for concession card holders and low and middle income families than for single working people, regardless of their income."

"Absurdly, while there are incentives for GPs to bulk-bill children, these are not available for parents."

"Working Australians pay for health care through their taxes and the Medicare Levy.

It is wrong that they have to pay again at the medical clinic."

"The Howard Government is turning Australia's worldclass public health system into a US-style two-tiered system where only the rich can afford good quality health care."