The Government has today signaled a demise of the introduction of a $7 co-payment for general practice services with plans to introduce the legislation into Parliament this week being reconsidered.
Having long advocated against the introduction of any co-payment model, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is pleased the plan has been deferred.
RACGP President-elect, Dr Frank R Jones said the move is a positive step towards the preservation of a universally accessible healthcare system.
“The RACGP has long maintained its opposition for the introduction of any co-payment model, fearing it will jeopardise patient health outcomes,” said Dr Jones.
“The co-payment model creates an additional barrier to a system already fraught with complications and would drive Australia toward a US-style two-tiered system leaving the ‘have nots’ even further disadvantaged.
“Every Australian deserves timely access to clinically appropriate primary healthcare regardless of their economic status, something the proposed co-payment model jeopardises.”
The RACGP continues to call for the Government to replace the co-payment model with one that drives continuity of care and quality in general practice.
“General practice is not the problem – in fact it is the solution to achieving financial savings in the Australian healthcare system,” said Dr Jones.
“We know that a co-payment funding model for general practice does not contribute to any long-term savings.
“Australia needs a model that values and supports quality general practice, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced expenditure in the more costly tertiary healthcare system.
“It is this type of model that the RACGP believes would benefit GPs, patients and the government well into the future.”
The RACGP is open to further discussions with the Government to develop a sustainable and workable alternative to the co-payment model that will benefit patients, GPs and the government alike.
The RACGP is committed to achieving the best possible health outcomes for all Australians and will continue to advocate for a ‘Healthy Profession. Healthy Australia.’