Doctors welcome the broad concepts aired by Health Minister Butler over weeks about a new Medicare model. "We know that big changes take time to plan and implement. But tomorrow we could have increased funding for the care of pensioners and health care card holders simply by increasing the existing bulk billing incentive for that group," said Dr Tim Woodruff, president, Doctors Reform Society. "That would mean many of the most vulnerable would have some chance of getting care when they need it."
That would also mean that GPs working in areas of disadvantage would be encouraged to continue to bulk bill whilst we await the implementation of the planned major overhaul. Such a move would not interfere at all with the overhaul.
A second immediate change which could be introduced within 6 months would be to adjust for socio-economic status (SES) the special block funding payments already in place (called Practice Incentive Payments). The information is available. The payments are already adjusted for age and gender. With that change doctors would be further encouraged to bulk bill the most vulnerable and to continue their essential work in areas of low SES.
"These changes can happen now," said Dr Woodruff. "No one loses with such changes. No stakeholders can object. The Minister has indicated that the system is in the worst state it's been since its introduction. So why not act now Minister?"
