An alarming number of Australians have confirmed they will avoid visiting their GP if the $7 co-payment is implemented, driving costs to more expensive areas of the healthcare system according to research commissioned by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The independent survey of a broad cross section of the Australian general public was conducted to identify and determine public sentiment on healthcare issues resulting from the introduction of a co-payment model.
The research found 76% of respondents believe the introduction of the co-payment will result in visiting their GP less.
RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles said the results confirm the fear that if implemented, a co-payment model will leave Australia’s most vulnerable populations behind in a healthcare system that forces patients and GPs to absorb the cost of primary healthcare delivery.
“All of the research findings support the mounting body of evidence that patients will choose to avoid or delay seeing their GP if the co-payment is implemented as a result of increased out-of-pocket costs.
“This has a profound flow on affect, with patients likely to heavily rely on more expensive hospital services after failing to seeking timely care at the primary healthcare level.
“Families, the elderly, those with a chronic disease and Australia’s most vulnerable populations will be particularly hard hit, with the reality of the co-payment so much more than a nominal $7 payment here and there,” said Dr Marles.
The research also found more than 56% of respondents said they oppose the general practice co-payment.
“The government has failed to deceive the public about the true economic impact of the co-payment, with the research findings affirming it is of genuine concern to the vast majority of Australians.
“The government has also neglected to adequately communicate to the public that by requesting for the co-payment to be waived, the GP directly absorbs this cost. Under this model, the delivery of healthcare will always be at the detriment of someone.
“Despite abundant evidence that a co-payment model is not a viable solution, the government continues to ignore expert and public opinion detailing the harmful implications a co-payment model will have on our communities,” said Dr Marles.
The research results also revealed that 71% of the general public want the RACGP and GPs to publicly oppose the co-payment and lobby the Government to abandon the idea.
“Since it was first rumoured in December, the RACGP has been a vocal advocate against the introduction of a co-payment model and demanded the preservation of access to universal healthcare.
“The RACGP has been meeting regularly with government since the Federal Budget announcement, reaffirming its opposition to any model that is likely to exacerbate health inequalities or present an additional barrier to accessing clinically appropriate and timely healthcare services and seeks direct involvement in negotiations about any funding options that impact GPs and their patients.
“Support for the RACGP’s social media awareness campaign #CoPayNoWay has been unprecedented with the medical community and patients alike taking to these platforms to express their concern,” said Dr Marles.
This research, conducted by Sweeney Research, focused on consumers only and excluded anyone who worked in a medical practice as a doctor, nurse, receptionist, administrator or similar, or lived with someone in such an occupation or profession.
Key research findings:
- Three in four respondents (76%) believe the introduction of the proposed $7 co-payment will result in people visiting their GP less.
- More than a half of all respondents oppose the introduction of the co-payment, with those that visit their GP more than 7 times a year most likely to oppose the model.
- Six in ten (60%) of respondents would ask their GP to waive the co-payment, with those most likely to ask including those studying full time, unemployed and those earning less than $41K.
- 46% of the public believe the RACGP should publically oppose the co-payment, with 25% wanting the RACGP to lobby the government to abandon the idea.