Abolish Private Health Insurance Rebate and fund bulk billing incentive for everyone.
Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today rebuffed Health Minister Tony Abbott's claim that the government can't afford to extend an extra bulk billing rebate to all patients when the government currently wastes $2.3 billion each year subsidising the private health insurance industry.
"The government is offering a $5 top-up for doctors to bulk bill concession card holders and children up to 16 years but claims it can't find another $400 million a year to fund the same rebate level for all patients," Senator Nettle said.
"It's an insult to low and middle income Australians to say on the one hand that government can't afford to ensure their access to bulk billing whilst on the other subsidising those who can afford to opt out of the public system," Senator Nettle said.
"Tony Abbott seems willing to risk the health of low and middle income earners in order to save $400 million whilst sitting on a $7 billion surplus.
"Australians want access to bulk billing and they have indicated a willingness to for forgo tax cuts to pay for it.
"Healthcare is not just another commodity to be floated on the free market - it's a community responsibility to care for our sick, injured, and frail.
"The 'two-tier' system that 'MedicarePlus' represents will result in a continued slide in bulk billing rates. More People who should see a doctor won't because of the cost - and their health will suffer.
"The Greens will not be party to what is essentially a cost saving measure which will make Australians sicker.
"The Greens call for the abolition of the Private Health Insurance Rebate in order that the $2.3 billion saved can be redirected into an increase in the bulk-billing rebate, incentive payments to bulk-billing GPs, an increase in GP provider numbers, the extension of Medicare to dental services and a viability study into Government run medical centres."
