AN ABORIGINAL health organisation is urging Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley to come good on her promise and consult indigenous organisations about any proposed changes to the GP co-payment.
The government was forced to abandon its health reform plans after it was revealed changes to the Medicare rebate for GP Level A and B consultations lasting less than 10 minutes were imminent.
The changes would have seen some visits to the doctor go up $20 after the rebate on consultations of less than 10 minutes was cut from $37.05 to $16.95.
But the government remains committed to pushing ahead with its GP co-payment plan.
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Lisa Briggs said on Friday the organisation was concerned at the government’s commitment to the GP co-payment plan.
“Almost every politician, no matter what side of the fence, has at some time committed to close the appalling health gap between Aboriginal and other Australians,” Ms Briggs said.
“They all know the dire statistics … Aboriginal people fare much worse than other Australians against all health indicators and it is going to take a generation to turn it around.”
– APN NEWSDESK.