The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is pleased the Government’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health remains a priority, but is concerned longer-term Close the Gap initiatives may be affected by a proposed co-payment model.
Federal Health Minister, Peter Dutton today announced the Government will provide $333 million in funding for the 150 National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations nation-wide during 2014–15 and a further five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health programs until June 2015 at a total cost of $431 million.
As a member of the Oxfam Close the Gap steering committee, the RACGP is committed to ensuring the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remains a national priority. Any increase in out-of-pocket healthcare costs must be treated as off limits for these populations.
RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles said there are serious concerns regarding the repercussions of a co-payment model for all Australians, however it would prove disastrous for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who already face major barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
“There is no question the introduction of a co-payment model will further entrench existing barriers to equitable healthcare access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The RACGP strongly urges the Government against any move that we know would be counter-productive to Close the Gap initiatives and unravel any positive progress achieved so far.
“A co-payment model would place additional financial and accessibility pressure on populations already struggling to access basic quality healthcare; a fundamental human right,” said Dr Marles.
The Federal Government has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the Close the Gap campaign and its leadership in the delivery of campaign targets is essential if tangible progress is to be made.
The RACGP urges the Government to make good on its promises in protecting the most vulnerable populations within the healthcare system.
“General practice is in the ideal position to achieve the Close the Gap goals by addressing health disparities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and improving life expectancy, a key objective of the campaign.
“The healthcare sector has worked hard to address the very serious and unique health issues facing these communities and has made gradual but positive progress in some areas such as child mortality rates.
“If the Government now introduces a co-payment model that adds additional pressure to those most in need, we could face an unprecedented healthcare inequity crisis,” said Dr Marles.
The RACGP stands by its commitment to support all Close the Gap efforts and the daily work of its members in improving health outcomes for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.