The Abbott Government

Julia · 13 January 2015

boofhead said:
How does it make a difference? The co-payment was mostly for a medical research fund.

Yes, you're quite right about the government sending confused messages on this. Apparently some of the $7 was to go to Medicare/GP and some to the yet-to-be-realised research fund.

Also the cap is for people with concession.

Correct. And I don't believe any of them would be unable to afford an all-up cost of $70 per annum at worst.

If that had been allowed to go through, then I don't imagine we would be seeing the now overdone reaction by the government re cutting of GP rebates which is utterly counter-productive from any possible point of view.

Tisme · 14 January 2015

Julia said:
Yes, you're quite right about the government sending confused messages on this. Apparently some of the $7 was to go to Medicare/GP and some to the yet-to-be-realised research fund.

Correct. And I don't believe any of them would be unable to afford an all-up cost of $70 per annum at worst.

If that had been allowed to go through, then I don't imagine we would be seeing the now overdone reaction by the government re cutting of GP rebates which is utterly counter-productive from any possible point of view.

You're probably right, but apparently there is still nearly 50% of the population who think the "budget emergency" is just political spin and a further large segment who are undecided if it's spin or not ... and who could blame them after all the lies and obscuration from both sides of the political divide.

I think I posted an early warning pre xmas about this (can't remember really) and only now the media are picking up on it. The other day one early morning show host suggested ringing out the visit to 10 minutes to avoid the reduced rebate ... that's how seriously even our talking heads are taking the need for budget cuts.

Calliope · 14 January 2015

Mealy-mouthed Abbott.

And while Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was not at the Paris march, he was quick to say, following the terrorist attacks, that we must never compromise our values in defending them. It’s a fine statement.

But how does it sit with his decision to drop reforms of 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, a section that prohibits speech that is offensive, insulting, language that humiliates or intimidates? Section 18C is a direct hit on free speech in Australia. Section 18C feeds the marketplace of outrage where people are treated as victims and encouraged to scream loud to shut down debate they find offensive. Hence Andrew Bolt’s legitimate opinions were struck down when a judge, relying on section 18C, said he objected to the “tone” of Bolt’s column.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opi...s-of-free-speech/story-e6frg7bo-1227183812325

drsmith · 14 January 2015

On matters Medicare rebate, the following was entirely predictable,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-14/medicare-rebate-cut-labor-to-oppose-move-shorten-says/6016232

The question now is the broader game plan from here.

Julia · 14 January 2015

I understand the principle of discouraging conveyor belt medicine, but surely that's something which will be market determined anyway? People who want a medical certificate for a cold, e.g., are going to be quite OK with that, and someone who wants a longer discussion will find another doctor.

And plenty of everyday conditions can be sorted out in less than 10 minutes, obvious diagnosis, punch out a script, on your way.

An earlier post suggested this was 'the end of bulk billing'. That's probably an overstatement but this does seem like a budget measure rather than any genuine ideological desire to see better medicine.

overhang · 14 January 2015

Julia said:
I understand the principle of discouraging conveyor belt medicine, but surely that's something which will be market determined anyway? People who want a medical certificate for a cold, e.g., are going to be quite OK with that, and someone who wants a longer discussion will find another doctor.

And plenty of everyday conditions can be sorted out in less than 10 minutes, obvious diagnosis, punch out a script, on your way.

An earlier post suggested this was 'the end of bulk billing'. That's probably an overstatement but this does seem like a budget measure rather than any genuine ideological desire to see better medicine.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but won't this be a $20 price increase to people who are merely seeing the doctor to have a repeat filled?

Julia · 14 January 2015

overhang said:
Please correct me if I'm wrong but won't this be a $20 price increase to people who are merely seeing the doctor to have a repeat filled?

If you mean to obtain a prescription, then I suppose yes if your doctor dictates you need to actually see him/her for a repeat. Mine doesn't. I just phone the receptionist, give name and request, and the prescription is there free of charge next day. It takes the doctor about five seconds to whack in your name on the computer, locate the script you want, print it out.

I also heard people on the radio last night saying they needed their BP checked every month, so it would be a cost impost on them. Unless you have very volatile BP which needs adjustment of medication often, buy an inexpensive device from the chemist and check your own BP every day if you're worried about it.

Lots of assumptions happening all over this issue - the government's fault, as usual - for not making a clear announcement so that everyone understands exactly the situation of who will pay what, how much choice doctors will have etc., resulting in the inevitable confusion and guessing that we're all doing now.

It's just woeful. Surely they have people in the Minister of Health's office who can prepare a simple communication as a media release, just setting out the detail!

overhang · 14 January 2015

Julia said:
If you mean to obtain a prescription, then I suppose yes if your doctor dictates you need to actually see him/her for a repeat. Mine doesn't. I just phone the receptionist, give name and request, and the prescription is there free of charge next day. It takes the doctor about five seconds to whack in your name on the computer, locate the script you want, print it out.

Thanks Julia, that's what I meant. I've never required a follow up prescription from a doctor so was a little unsure of the process but what you have said makes sense.

Lots of assumptions happening all over this issue - the government's fault, as usual - for not making a clear announcement so that everyone understands exactly the situation of who will pay what, how much choice doctors will have etc., resulting in the inevitable confusion and guessing that we're all doing now.

It's just woeful. Surely they have people in the Minister of Health's office who can prepare a simple communication as a media release, just setting out the detail!

Spot on, instead they're letting the ABC and Fairfax do the sales work for them which doesn't exactly sell it.

SirRumpole · 14 January 2015

Medicare rebate cut likely to be blocked in Senate as Labor, independents vow to oppose change

The Federal Government's cut to the Medicare rebate for short consultations looks likely to be blocked in the Senate.

From Monday, the rebate for appointments lasting less than 10 minutes will be cut from $37.05 to $16.95.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said in many cases doctors would have to pass the cost onto patients instead.

The Opposition and key independent senators have confirmed they will try to disallow the $20 rebate cut when Parliament resumes next month.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the cut would be damaging for patients and the health system.

"Our position is unequivocal, it's in black and white," he said.

"We will oppose Tony Abbott absolutely changing the rebate system for our GPs, making it a lot harder and through this sneaky backdoor method.

"We will say to Tony Abbott 'you are not going to damage the Medicare system if we've got anything to do with it'."

With Labor joining the Greens to support a disallowance motion, only another four votes are needed from the crossbench.

More at
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-14/medicare-rebate-cut-labor-key-independents-oppose-move/6016232

sptrawler · 14 January 2015

SirRumpole said:
Medicare rebate cut likely to be blocked in Senate as Labor, independents vow to oppose change

More at
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-14/medicare-rebate-cut-labor-key-independents-oppose-move/6016232

Yep more of the same, block any spending cuts.

As the budget continues to blow out, great to see that Labor won't be reducing welfare spending, if they get in.

Can't wait to see how they go trying to fund it, without hammering taxpayers.

SirRumpole · 14 January 2015

sptrawler said:
Yep more of the same, block any spending cuts.

As the budget continues to blow out, great to see that Labor won't be reducing welfare spending, if they get in.

Can't wait to see how they go trying to fund it, without hammering taxpayers.

I hope as much as anyone that Labor put forward a good alternative to the rat's nest of rubbish we have seen so far from the LNP.

They have two years to work on it, and apparently they are in "Abbott negative mode" until then, unless of course Tony decides to call a D.D.

Do you think he will ?

drsmith · 14 January 2015

SirRumpole said:
Do you think he will ?

Obviously not.

As for Labor, the alternative is Bill Shorten or perhaps Tanya Plibersek. Perhaps it'll be a familiar kind of nonsense we get from Labor as the federal election approaches,

Qld Labor has promised $100 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef, but can't specifically say what the money will be used for.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement on Green Island, off the Cairns coast, on Wednesday after taking a reef tour in a glass bottom boat alongside her environment spokeswoman Jackie Trad.

Ms Palaszczuk said a 'high-level taskforce' would provide recommendations to government to determine how best to spend the $100 million over five years.

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-...r-promises-to-spend--100-million-on-reef.html

sydboy007 · 15 January 2015

sptrawler said:
Yep more of the same, block any spending cuts.

As the budget continues to blow out, great to see that Labor won't be reducing welfare spending, if they get in.

Can't wait to see how they go trying to fund it, without hammering taxpayers.

That was the Abbott promise. We're still waiting to see how he coudl increase spending, reduce the deficit and cut taxes.

Not sure if any believed it when he said it, but that was what he offered voters, so he should at least be held accountable for it.

sydboy007 · 15 January 2015

drsmith said:
Obviously not.

As for Labor, the alternative is Bill Shorten or perhaps Tanya Plibersek. Perhaps it'll be a familiar kind of nonsense we get from Labor as the federal election approaches,

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-...r-promises-to-spend--100-million-on-reef.html

I suppose at least it's only $100M which may or may not be wasted.

Compare that with Abbott's billions for the Melbourne tunnel that's going to see half the money "lost" as the infrastructure is projected to just provide a 45c in the $ economic return. How does one spin that into an economic positive?

The LNP sure know how to provide subsidies though. Comrade Newman needs a good tongue lashing from Noco to set him straight.

drsmith · 15 January 2015

sydboy007 said:
I suppose at least it's only $100M which may or may not be wasted.

It's very clear there's not much of a plan on how to spend it.

sydboy007 said:
Compare that with Abbott's billions for the Melbourne tunnel that's going to see half the money "lost" as the infrastructure is projected to just provide a 45c in the $ economic return. How does one spin that into an economic positive?

There's nothing like comparisons.

Big school BBQ sheds and pink bats just to name a couple and then of course there's the real biggies Labor style, the train wrecks of their border security and their NBN.

sydboy007 · 15 January 2015

drsmith said:
It's very clear there's not much of a plan on how to spend it.

There's nothing like comparisons.

Big school BBQ sheds and pink bats just to name a couple and then of course there's the real biggies Labor style, the train wrecks of their border security and their NBN.

A Labor NBN with customers connected and a backbone network completed.

A Liberal NBN with a handful of test customers connected, a sweet heart deal to Telstra to get first dibs on HFC customers as lead in cables are connected at tax payers expense, providing them with a wealth of info on how to offer lock in contracts the minute NBN takes over a particular area, with tax payers wearing the costs of fixing the degraded copper network that Telstra abandoned over the last decade. As KP would say, you only get one Abbott in your life, and Telstra has certainly double downed with him.

I'll offer you PPL, and school chaplains for your pink bats and school BBQ sheds (though I'm not sure why you feel shelter from the Australian sun for school kids is such a bad thing).

I'll even throw in a Govt fighting for movie studios and doing their best to enforce geo blocking on Aussie consumers, with an ill conceived meta data plan they can neither cost nor actually explain to anyone, along with a very busy pre Christmas policy release schedule to try and thumb their noses at voters.

drsmith · 15 January 2015

sydboy007 said:
A Labor NBN with customers connected and a backbone network completed.

http://simonhackett.com/2014/09/06/rebooting-the-nbn/

SirRumpole · 15 January 2015

Yet another example of incompetence and forced backing down because of it

Why don't they work these things out properly instead of making stupid blunders ?

Government scraps proposed Medicare rebate changes: Health Minister Sussan Ley reiterates commitment to GP co-payment

The Federal Government has dumped plans to cut the rebate for short GP visits by $20, amid a fierce political backlash and stiff opposition from doctors.

The rebate for GP consultations less than 10 minutes was due to be cut from next Monday.

However, the move was set to be struck down by the Senate.

Today new Health Minister Sussan Ley announced the changes would not go ahead and had been "taken off the table".

"I have become aware of significant concerns and unintended consequences of changes to Medicare rebates scheduled to begin on Monday," she told reporters in Melbourne.

"I am deeply concerned by the misinformation that is causing confusion for patients and confusion for doctors.

"As a result, I'm announcing today that the changes to level A and B Medicare consultation items will not commence on Monday as planned.

"The Government is taking them off the table."

The minister said she would now undertake "wide-ranging" consultation with doctors and the community across the country to come with "sensible options" for Medicare reform.

But she said the Government remained committed to a GP co-payment as a price signal in the health system.

"It remains critical that we implement changes to ensure quality care for Australians and a secure future for Medicare," Ms Ley said.
The Federal Government has announced it will shelve plans to cut the Medicare rebate. Have your say.

The changes would have meant doctors no longer received a $37.05 rebate for Level A consultations, but instead received only $16.95 – a cut of $20.10.

This amount would have been further reduced (to $11.95) from July 1 when cuts to rebates for longer consultations would have also kicked in.

The Government planned to leave it to individual doctors as to whether they passed on the shortfall to patients.
AMA president welcomes backdown

Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Brian Owler welcomed the decision to dump the changes.

"I'm pleased for grassroots GPs and particularly for their patients because they were the ones that were going to bear the brunt of these changes and I think clearly common sense has prevailed," he told the ABC.

"I'm very pleased it's not going ahead with these level A and B rebate changes on Monday.

"What we will be doing is going through with the Minister a process of consultation, the process which should have happened previously to come up with ways that we can actually enhance general practice and make our healthcare system more sustainable in the future."

Professor Owler said he was pleased the prospect of a Senate showdown over the changes had been avoided.

"I think at the end of the day the fact it was going to go through this parliamentary process of disallowance of the new regulations would have been an awful thing to go through for the GPs and patients," he said.

"I think common sense has prevailed and the Minister and PM have ended the uncertainty about these changes and now are going to embark on the process of consultation that the AMA has requested all along they do."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-...-shelves-propsosed-rebate-cut-changes/6018990

Logique · 15 January 2015

Bravo to new Health Minister Sussan Ley.

She was handed a poisoned chalice by her ham-fisted predecessor. Now she has to clean up this mess.

GPs are at the healthcare coalface, and should have been listened to before this.

15 January 2015 - Health Minister Sussan Ley backs away from plan to cut Medicare rebate
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-polit...n-to-cut-medicare-rebate-20150115-12qp0n.html

...In her first act as the new Health Minister, Sussan Ley broke her holidays to announce on Thursday that the cuts - quietly introduced by her predecessor Peter Dutton late last year - are now "off the table".

Ms Ley said she was still committed to introducing price signals into Medicare including the revised $5 GP co-payment due to start July 1 but pledged to "pause, listen and consult".

"This is very much my stamp, I believe, on the portfolio – that of consulting, engaging and listening," she told reporters in Melbourne...

drsmith · 15 January 2015

Logique said:
Bravo to new Health Minister Sussan Ley.

She was handed a poisoned chalice by her ham-fisted predecessor.

I just hope he's up to what should now be the much less onerous task of caretaking immigration.

The Abbott Government

Julia

In Memoriam

Tisme

Apathetic at Best

Calliope

drsmith

Julia

In Memoriam

overhang

Julia

In Memoriam

overhang

SirRumpole

sptrawler

SirRumpole

drsmith

sydboy007

sydboy007

Attachments

drsmith

sydboy007

drsmith

SirRumpole

Logique

Investor

drsmith

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