Health Minister Called to Share Details of Co-payment Proposal

The Consumers Health Forum (CHF) is calling on Health Minister, Peter Dutton, to share details of the co-payment proposal he is negotiating with the Australian Medical Association with the rest of Australia, particularly consumers with chronic illness.

“Given the significance of the Government’s proposed changes to Medicare, it is unacceptable that the minister is restricting his negotiations to the powerful doctors’ union, whose members stand to benefit most from any deal, while those who will have to pay, consumers and taxpayers, are kept in the dark,” the Chief Executive Officer of CHF, Adam Stankevicius, said.

“On Friday I wrote to Mr Dutton calling on him to release information about the models the Federal Government is considering in relation to the introduction of a Medicare co-payment.  We know the Department of Health is analysing a range of models, and all Australians have a right to know what those models are.

“We understand the Federal Government’s desire to manage its budget more effectively, as well as the stated intention to increase significantly the investment in medical research.

“But many informed health practitioners, analysts and community leaders have expressed concern that the introduction of a mandatory Medicare co-payment would erode the principles of universality and equity underpinning Medicare.

“There are many thousands of Australians apart from concession holders for whom health costs are a painful issue:  young families on modest incomes,  those with chronic health conditions ranging from diabetes to mental illness, and not least, indigenous Australians.

“The Government must consider whether introducing a co-payment will lead to more community suffering, and increased cost to the taxpayer, resulting from cases of untreated illness for patients who cannot afford the new impost.

“We should not forget how successful Medicare has been in supporting access to health services in Australia over the past 30 years.

“To make fundamental change to Medicare without informed debate amongst consumers, professionals and state governments, would defy sensible government.

“Earlier this year Mr Dutton called for a national discussion on the future of our health system, and the Consumers Health Forum has actively participated in the national discussion on many issues, particularly those relating to health financing.

“CHF is keen to continue to participate in these discussions.  However, we are concerned that the national debate is being impeded by a lack of information on the models which the Federal Government is considering.  Not only is this lack of information impacting on the community’s ability to have a robust discussion, but it is also leading to increased anxiety amongst consumers about the possible impacts on their budgets.  Obviously it would also be impacting on the ability of service providers to effectively plan for the introduction of any proposed system.”