on 20-04-2014 10:21 PM
As it's more than 100 days now, it has been suggested that a new thread was needed. The current govt has been breaking promises and telling lies at a rate so fast it's hard to keep up.
This below is worrying, "independent" pffft, as if your own doctor is somehow what? biased, it's ridiculous. So far there is talk of only including people under a certain age 30-35, for now. Remember that if your injured in a car, injured at work or get ill, you too might need to go on the DSP. They have done a similar think in the UK with devastating consequences.
and this is the 2nd time recently where the Govt has referred to work as welfare???? So when you go to work tomorrow (or tuesday), just remember that's welfare.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-20/disability-pensioners-may-be-reassessed-kevin-andrews/5400598
Independent doctors could be called in to reassess disability pensioners, Federal Government says
The Federal Government is considering using independent doctors to examine disability pensioners and assess whether they should continue to receive payments.
Currently family doctors provide reports supporting claims for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
But Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews is considering a measure that would see independent doctors reassess eligibility.
"We are concerned that where people can work, the best form of welfare is work," Mr Andrews said at a press conference.
on 16-01-2015 12:56 PM
Another comment from a TA Supporter on Facebook re Medicare:
Can anyone explain just how Tony Abbott can get one single thing through with the Doctors refusing to take a cut in rebate for 5 minute medical consults?
I pay over $70 and get approx $36 back. Often they are double booked. A friend of mine saw 42 patients the other morning....give me a break.
This is out of control and Doctors are making money while Medicare is fast going broke supported by Shorten, Milne, Palmer, Lambie and any other fool who cannot see the forest for their own need for a shady tree.
We are heading so far backward in Australia at the moment - we have a good PM who is being rendered powerless by a deliberate attack on any budget policy).
The media are running a campaign because they hate Tony Abbott, while their biggest gripe is stopping the illegal boat people entering into this country, they have the desire to post rubbish about every other area.
Our Prime Minister is on leave atm, his Ministers are not therefore continue on with their work.
I do believe Terry Barnes hit the nail on the head yesterday when he said the AMA is the CFMEU in white coats. They are holding the nation and the Govt to ransom in order to line their own pockets.
The bulk billing for the six minute consultation is a sweet deal for the Dr’s. How it helps a patient is another question.
Sooner than later Medicare will collapse, no business can last with such short falls the senators are hell bent of blocking every cost saving piece of legislation.
They need to tell us what has to be done to fix the problem, they can’t because not one of them has the capacity to work it out."
16-01-2015 01:00 PM - edited 16-01-2015 01:02 PM
The Doctors are making money hand over fist.
And this is what Abbott is trying to stop.
In a big, bulk billing clinic near me - of which there are plenty arouynd here, they line us up in huge waiting rooms,
in and out we go, often in 5 - 10 minutes, everyone one of them a foreign doctor (as in Indian or Pakistani).
Anything serious I go to an old school Doctor that my GF uses, has his own rooms in his own building and
it's just him and his staff.
Medicare is great and I want it to keep going, the two excesses that need curbing are the amount paid out and
that at the slightest sniffle, people run off to the Doctor. Ching $$$.
on 16-01-2015 01:45 PM
@aps1080 wrote:
The Doctors are making money hand over fist.
And this is what Abbott is trying to stop.
In a big, bulk billing clinic near me - of which there are plenty arouynd here, they line us up in huge waiting rooms,
in and out we go, often in 5 - 10 minutes, everyone one of them a foreign doctor (as in Indian or Pakistani).
Anything serious I go to an old school Doctor that my GF uses, has his own rooms in his own building and
it's just him and his staff.
Medicare is great and I want it to keep going, the two excesses that need curbing are the amount paid out and
that at the slightest sniffle, people run off to the Doctor. Ching $$$.
wow! what a shocking post!
so now doctors are the enemy,.... espeically if they're foreign ... ok
on 16-01-2015 01:54 PM
How many rural/regional areas in Australia would have NO doctors unless foreign educated Drs are prepared to work there. They work very hard too, long hours, without much time off ( weekends still on call etc).
Where I live small town, there were a few near retiring age Drs who run/owned the local medical centre. It took 2+ weeks to get an appointment ( the Drs didn't work 5 days a week). Which is not acceptable. A high % of the towns residents are over the age of 70.
This medical centre had their books closed for new patients. They would not treat tourists/ visitors either.
A foreign Dr opened a new centre, so busy she had to hire extras. Recently we have a new bulk bill centre open, the Drs are foreign educated.
Would we want to go back to one medical centre and 2+ weeks wait for an appointnent? No way.
on 16-01-2015 01:57 PM
Debra
Where did I say they were the enemy ?
I was passing comment on the fact that all of them were foreign.
Am I not allowed to do that ?
And why is the post shocking ?
on 16-01-2015 01:57 PM
they spend many years being eduated Am. and many years in training I don't know any doctors who work a full week either, however as far as pay goes, they deserve to be high earners because of what they do. I certainly couldn't do it.
I must say I think some of the Asian doctors are excellent.
16-01-2015 01:59 PM - edited 16-01-2015 02:04 PM
A very low % of people go to the Dr with a sniffle or any other minor issue that doesn't need medical attention.. At one of the larger bulk bill clinics in my wider area, the wait can be up to 2 hours ( lots of patients, not many doctors rostered on). One would have to be very keen to have a boring 2 hour wait just so you can talk to a Dr about a sniffle!
Doctors come here from many different countries, Asia, Middle East, India, The Philippines.... they may choose not to come here though in the future if this Govt keeps up their attack on GPs.
on 16-01-2015 02:00 PM
16-01-2015 02:07 PM - edited 16-01-2015 02:09 PM
Abbott is trying to fix a hole in the Budget, due to failed proposals in the May 2014 budget. Tried - GP's as an easy taget - failed- and back door regulations to cut medicare benefit for GP visits - failed.
Giant backflip (again).
on 16-01-2015 02:08 PM
OK, it's just the"fat" "dumb" one's that clog the system