THE introduction of a GP co-payment would cost taxpayers more in the long run as sick people get sicker avoiding the doctor, say doctors’ groups who want the measure scrapped.
It now looks certain the Abbott government will include a charge to visit the doctor in Tuesday’s budget, but will cap a $7 payment at 10 visits or $70 a year for pensioners and concession card holders.
The co-payment proposal has sparked public concern, with a Fairfax-ReachTEL poll finding a $6 charge would deter almost four in 10 people from booking an appointment.
The Consumers Health Forum has released its own polling showing almost 70 per cent would be discouraged by a co-payment, which would drive more to hospital emergency departments – and increase healthcare costs.
“GPs are seen as cost effective, particularly when compared to the much higher cost of hospital care,” forum chief Adam Stankevicius said.
“Australia is facing increasing health costs but there are other ways we can reduce these, by reducing avoidable hospital admissions, for instance.” The Doctors Reform Society says a co-payment would end bulk billing and result in uncapped GP fees.
“It would let the cost genie out of the bottle and result in spiralling health costs followed by a push for private health insurance to cover GP costs,” it said in a statement.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten joined those calling for the co-payment to be dropped from the budget, saying deterring people from visiting their GP won’t save taxpayers a single cent.
“In fact, it will cost them, because what’ll happen is that sick people will defer going to the doctor until they are sicker and that’ll mean a greater cost for all Australians down the road,” he told reporters in Melbourne.
The Abbott government was taking Australia down the path of a “two-class American healthcare system”, Mr Shorten said.
“Where how much money you have determines what sort of healthcare you get.”
But federal Treasurer Joe Hockey assured the public “there is a purpose in everything we are doing” when asked about the co-payment.
“And the purpose is to build a stronger health system,” he told the Nine Network.
Source: AAP