GPs and patients have united in their fight against the Government’s revised general practice healthcare policy as part of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) bid to halt the Government’s plans.
Announced in December 2014, the Government’s revised model includes a $5 cut in the general practice patient rebate from 1 July 2015, a freeze to rebates until 1 July 2018 and an introduction of time-based changes to Level A consultations from 19 January 2015.
The RACGP has launched its ‘You’ve been targeted’ advocacy campaign which unites GPs and patients and aims to amplify the community’s voice and herald change.
The campaign includes a petition for GPs and patients, drafted letters for GPs and patients to send to their local member of parliament and Prime Minister Tony Abbott, and a poster to display in practice waiting rooms. Further activities are in development for continued roll out over the coming months.
RACGP President Dr Frank R Jones said the RACGP and its members have been vocal in its opposition to any cuts in Medicare patient rebates, yet the Government has continued to ignore concerns.
“United, both patients and GPs stand a stronger chance of having our voices heard by a Government that has continually chosen to ignore the general practice profession, Australian community, and international evidence,” said Dr Jones.
“Under this reform, there is no doubt that both GPs and patients will be worse off.
“The Government has seemingly forgotten the core mandate for the Medicare system is a patient rebate system, not a system for doctor payments.
“While patients that hold a concession card and those under the age of 16 years have been made exempt under recent reforms, every other patient has been targeted, and this is the message we must get through to the Australian public.
“The Government has done nothing more in its revised plan than shift the ethical onus onto GPs who now face the dilemma of requesting a co-payment to ensure they can continue to provide quality patient care or absorb the cost themselves.”
The RACGP notes that specialist costs and secondary and tertiary care have been immune from the health funding debate despite the known potential savings that could be generated in this area.
“General practice, the most cost effective sector of the healthcare system continues to be the target of ill-conceived Government policy,” said Dr Jones.
“The RACGP stands resolutely against the proposed $5 cut in the patient rebate, changes to time-based requirements for level A and B consultations, and the freeze to rebates until 2018, deeming these reforms unacceptable.”
The RACGP will continue to lead the debate against any cut to general practice funding and urges the Government to establish an immediate moratorium until the full consequences of this policy have been assessed.