FEDERAL BUDGET DELIVERS HITS TO PRIMARY HEALTHCARE Despite being the most efficient part of the healthcare sector, general practice and primary healthcare have taken the greatest hits in healthcare funding cuts, says The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The Federal Government has announced a number of measures to save $8.6 billion in healthcare alone, with savings to be reinvested to fund additional initiatives in healthcare such as the establishment of the Medical Research Future Fund. RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles, said the budget cuts will have a negative impact on the Australian community. The government promised it will develop a budget to support those in the community with the greatest healthcare needs; however, a number of budget measures go against this commitment and create significant disadvantages for vulnerable populations. The implementation of a co-payment for Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) services and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) registered medications provide a disincentive for patients to access clinically appropriate primary healthcare services and treatments. Setting a price signal to all consumers to make a contribution towards the cost of their health is not a move that encourages equitable access to primary healthcare services – instead it adds an additional barrier to a system already fraught with complications, such as increased out-of-pocket expenses, said Dr Marles.
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 02:08:53 +0000