HEALTH unions have sought to place public health firmly back on the Federal Election agenda with a rally to “save Medicare” in Hobart.
More than 200 people gathered at the lunchtime rally, where health professionals told of their fears for the future of Australia’s universal public health system.
Huon Valley GP Bastian Seidel said he was very concerned about basic healthcare becoming unaffordable for people on low incomes.
Dr Seidel said people who most needed to see GPs were often the poorest because of chronic conditions.
“Fairness should be reflected in the way we care for the sick and those in need,” he said.
“General practice is at breaking point.”
Launceston nurse and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state president Emily Shepherd said the state’s public health system was still reeling from funding cuts made by the Abbott Government.
“I have never felt before the feelings I have today, basically that the public health system is on the precipice of disaster,” she said.
“The ANMF will never support a two-tiered health system.”
Labor Senator Carol Brown said Medicare and the health system was a key concern being raised by Tasmanians during the election campaign.
Unions and Labor have attacked the Coalition over the Medicare rebate freeze, which GPs say they will struggle to absorb without charging patients.
Concerns have also been raised about the end of bulk billing for some pathology services and the cost of prescriptions.