JOE Hockey has responded to criticism of the $7 co-payment for routine GP visits by saying doctors could instead take a cut to their Medicare rebate without requiring patients to make up the shortfall.
In one of the more controversial measures in the budget, the standard Medicare rebate would be cut by $5, and doctors encouraged to charge patients $7, which would provide them with an additional $2 towards the costs of running a practice.
SENATORS will veto the new $7 doctor’s fee at the heart of the government’s healthcare reforms as objections grow to Joe Hockey’s tax hikes and spending cuts.
Source: The Australian