GPs expressed their anger over planned changes to the Medicare rebate after hundreds met in forums in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.
“Doctors are extremely angry, frustrated and concerned at the raft of changes the government continually tries to enforce upon healthcare and medical practice in Australia,” Dr Tony Bartone, Australian Medical Association Victoria president, told reporters on Sunday.
Bartone said the plan to freeze rebates for four years would make it increasingly difficult for doctors to run a viable practice.
“There’s concerns that the costs may continue to blow out because of these changes, and it may cost as much as $100 for a child to be seen with an ear infection,” he said.
With the Liberal leadership spill set for Monday, Bartone said whoever is prime minister needed to stop playing around with Medicare.
“We want the government to take these changes off the table and come and consult with us before implementing any further changes,” he said.
Bartone said some GPs had spoken about retiring early or moving to another area of medicine, while others would have to end bulk billing if the changes were approved.
He said increasing costs for patients would also drive them to hospital emergency wards.
Bartone said Australian healthcare costs were roughly around the middle band of OECD countries.
The government initially wanted to impose a $7 copayment on Medicare rebates, which it reduced to $5 late last year in the face of widespread opposition.