The Abbott Government’s claim that its GP Tax is “dead, buried and cremated” has again been exposed as a lie with the CEO of Primary Health Care confirming the government’s four year freeze on doctor’s rebates will lead to a GP Tax by stealth.
This is a shared concern. Just last month, analysis in the Medical Journal of Australia showed that the freeze to indexation of Medicare benefits is likely to force many GPs who currently bulk-bill to resort to co-payments.
Whatever fancy name the Abbott Government comes up with – “co-payment”, “price signal”, “value signal” or “direct billing” – the end result is still the same: an attack on Medicare, an attack on patients and an attack on the health of all Australians.
Medicare investment an historic step forward
The Health Services Union (HSU) has strongly endorsed Prime Minister Albanese’s landmark $8.5 billion Medicare reform package as a historic step toward guaranteeing the future of bulk bulling.
Health Services Union welcomes major investment in women’s health
Big boost for women’s health is positive, but reproductive health leave is needed.
Disability workforce crisis sparks call for federal government action on pay
The Health Services Union has launched a push for disability workers to receive a desperately needed pay rise, with the sector facing a major workforce crisis.