NSW: Greens to try to restore Medicare's universality

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2003
NSW: Greens to try to restore Medicare's universality

SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - The Australian Greens will move to overturn federal government
regulations they say will turn Medicare into a two-tier system.

Just before federal parliament rose for the year, the government introduced an additional
$5 rebate for doctors - but only if they bulk-billed concession card holders.

Greens health spokeswoman Kerry Nettle said the government's decision, gazetted last
week, was a betrayal because it encouraged doctors to bulk-bill some groups rather than
all Australians.

"This move by the government is the first step towards destroying that universality
of Medicare," she told reporters.

Senator Nettle said 80 per cent of concession card holders were already bulk-billed.

The Greens would move an amendment to ensure GPs receive the extra $5 rebate for bulk-billing
all patients, she said.

"Why should they only bulk-bill concession card holders and those under 15?," she said.

"The people who are going to miss out are all those people who don't have a health
care card or children (over) the age of 15.

"That means low income families, people with chronic illnesses, a whole raft of individuals
that will not be caught under the government's scheme."

Senator Nettle said she would move a disallowance motion when parliament resumes in February.

AAP jph/sd/sjb/bwl

KEYWORD: MEDICARE

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