Community pharmacists, nurses and midwives have condemned some of the key controversial recommendations outlined in the National Commission of Audit report to the Federal Government.
The report recommends a $15 fee to visit the GP, which would fall to $7.50 after 15 visits per year, while concession card holders will be forced to pay $5 per visit, for 15 visits, and then $2.50 per visit.
It also calls for the states to introduce co-payments for less urgent treatment in public hospital emergency departments that could be appropriately treated in a general practice setting.
The report suggests fees for prescription drugs should rise by $5 to $41.90 but remain at $6 for concession card holders while also calling for the pharmacy sector to be opened to competition through the deregulation of ownership and location rules.
The Guild states the recommendations will decimate community pharmacy, deprive patients of access to medicines, and cause medicine shortages and rationing.
“The Guild urges to the government to be mindful of the possible negative impact on health outcomes which can occur if higher costs prevent patients from taking medicines as prescribed by their doctors,” it states.
“There is a danger that budget savings achieved through such a measure could be outweighed by higher health and hospital costs in dealing with the consequences of people choosing not to take medicines as prescribed.”
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) states the recommendations jeopardise the health care of all Australians.
ANMF federal secretary Lee Thomas said people will postpone visiting a doctor and may not be able to afford to fill their prescriptions.
“Struggling families, low income earners on a fixed income and the most vulnerable in the community won’t possibly be able to afford to pay such outrageous fees for what should be free health care,” she said.
“As Australia’s largest health union, the ANMF is now calling on Mr Abbott to reject these recommendations and assure Australians that our universal health care system is maintained and indeed strengthened.”
The report also recommends individuals earning more than $88,000 and families earning above $176,000 should pay two per cent more in tax if they fail to take out private health insurance, while private insurers should also charge higher premiums to smokers and people with unhealthy lifestyles.
It also moots extending the scope of health professional practices, such as pharmacists and nurse practitioners, to address the future needs of Australia’s health care system.
Source: NCAH