Health a life and death issue for patients

AMA NSW President, Prof Brad Frankum, is calling on the community to stand up for Australia’s health system this election.

Prof Frankum said he was aware of GPs in south western Sydney actively encouraging their patients to use their vote to end the Medicare rebate freeze.

“This is not the AMA taking sides in politics, this is the simple reality of GPs, who are already up against the wall, and the Coalition’s pledge to extend the Medicare rebate freeze.

“General practice is not something you can simply make more efficient by spending less time with larger numbers of patients – that is the opposite of providing care.

“Medicine is not a business and politicians should stop trying to treat it like one,” Prof Frankum said.

“While it’s worth remembering the Labor Party were the ones who instigated the backwards-thinking Medicare rebate freeze, they are at least pledging to remove it, if elected.

“The Medicare rebate freeze does not just impact on GP patient rebates, patients will also be paying more out of their own pocket to see their specialist.

“That means more to see a psychiatrist, more to see a gastroenterologist or more for their medical procedures,” Prof Frankum said.

“GP newspaper, Australian Doctor, recently published an online poll of how its readers felt about the health policies presented this election.

“It found that 78 per cent of its readers voted for Labor when asked the question: Which of the two major parties’ health policies do you think will most benefit general practice?” Prof Frankum said.

“I am honestly puzzled as to how Malcolm Turnbull is going to make good on his promise from this morning that bulk billing rates are going to remain where they are.

“It is completely at odds with an ongoing Medicare rebate freeze, which is the Coalition’s policy,” Prof Frankum said.

“As a resident and doctor in south west Sydney, I know how much health matters to my patients.

“Without health, they cannot access jobs or education and we always need to be building on our health system.

“The major parties have missed the chance, this election, to have a serious look at health.

“However, as noted in today’s media, for whichever party wins tomorrow’s election, there will be a serious and urgent need to do so.

“Chasing people away from general practice will only lead to increased health costs down the line.

“Both major parties would do well to remember that, especially the one who ends up winning at the polls tomorrow,” Prof Frankum said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955