From The Australian today comes news that Prime Minister Abbott is considering revising the $7 GP co-payment upon advice from the Australian Medical Association (AMA):
AMA president Brian Owler, speaking after a “very constructive” meeting with the Prime Minister and Health Minister Peter Dutton in Canberra, said he would return with alternative co-payment models that would enjoy the public support of his organisation, if adopted…
Dr Owler said: “The Prime Minister made it fairly clear in the meeting that they were willing to look at alternative models and consider those on their merits.
“For the first time, (we have received) an indication at least that there’s a willingness to revisit the model that they have put forward in the budget”…
The AMA reportedly favours exempting some people from the GP co-payment, such as those with health care cards, and wants to see emergency visits exempt. It also does not believe that funds should be channeled into the medical research fund.
On the face of it, these look like sensible alternatives; although the devil will obviously be in the detail.
