Comments on: Mungo: Labor government supports Medicare. Shock.

By: Dr John James

Dr John James — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

As a doctor practicing in the the growth sector of North Western Sydney I am often confronted with patients with what could be defined as semi elective surgical requirements, a bad gallbladder, a hernia, a joint that needs replacing. The area is serviced by large public teaching hospitals, and two large private hospitals. Each time I’m confronted by these patients almost my first question is “have you got private health insurance?” because I know, that if the answer is yes, then I can organise reasonably prompt and effective treatment ( a gallbladder attack at 2am is no fun! ). If the answer is no, then the patients are placed on the dreaded WAITING LIST.
Given the above scenario, I cannot believe the move being mooted by Nicola Roxon and Co.A budget measure that, all agree, will reduce the numbers with private cover, increase the demand for public hospital services and increase private health funds premiums. I mean, how dumb is that?

By: Garth Wong

Garth Wong — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I’m interested to find out what will happen when as a result of 400,000 people opting out of joining private health cover, the private health premiums rise thereby encouraging more people to opt out for the public health system. Will there will be an inevitable collapse of private health insurers due to insolvency? Will the Rudd Government gallop to the rescue, if the private insurers cannot meet medical claims of members due to the drop in membership premiums? How will the state public health system cope when it is now so evidently disfunctional?

By: steve

steve — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

The 30% rebate on private health fund premiums is, along with the subsidies paid to private schools, middle class that annually runs into billions of dollars.

By: JamesK

JamesK — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

The truth is that the australian taxpayer simply cannot afford a massively predominant public healthcare system of the standards required by the australian people. As usual with Mr. MacCallum’s absolute leftwing views, balance and commonsense go out the window. Rudd’s move may be reasonable but the private health care system needs to be supported sensibly. It absolutely needs to be viable to ensure a high standard public sector. I humbly suggest that the prior Liberal government actually did a hello f a lot for the public health care system and standards. Tony Abbott without a doubt was the best federal Health Minister we had for a very very long time. Nicola Roxon may very well be very good also. Time will tell.

By: Dr John James # 2

Dr John James # 2 — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Abbott, during his time as Health Minister, resurrected a dying Medicare. He increased, for the first time in almost 2 decades, the rebate for family doctors and, in the latter part of his oversight of the portfolio, introduced some item numbers with a decent remuneration package, that encoureaged doctors to begin to address the more chronic problems confronting some of their patients through a ‘Care Plan’ structure. It wasn’t perfect but bulk billing rates jumped up and patients began to get help from a team of doctor and allied health professional for their diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular problems.
Abbott also allowed mental health professionals access to Medicare and that meant that patients with mental health needs could obtain some assistance with the often ongoing costs of consulting a psychologist counsellor.
Roxon should be adressing the mess in the Labor states and the appaling administration of the public hospitals. by her Labor mates.

By: Nic

Nic — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

This seems a totally unnecessary comment: “private enterprise, the economic model created by God to bring profit to their supporters.” I was not aware that the Coalition’s support for private enterprise had a religious element? Perhaps Mungo could provide some examples to support his argument.

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

It is difficult to envisage why raising the threshhold would not encourage thousands to drop private health insurance and opt for public health care instead. Consequently, this is hardly a plus for the already over-stretched public health care system. Rudd has shot himself in the foot on this one. It could be a portent of the mistakes to come from a Government that fails to evaluate the implementation effects of its policies.