Diary of our stinking opposition

[village_person]

Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh shifts position on previous support for a GP fee

Labor's shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh was once a strong supporter of a compulsory fee for visits to the doctor - a policy now slammed by the opposition as a “GP tax” that would hurt the community’s most vulnerable.

But in a 2003 Sydney Morning Herald article Dr Leigh, then a PhD student in economics at Harvard University, argued a Medicare co-payment was “hardly a radical idea”.

“As health researchers have shown, cost-less medical care means that people go to the doctor even when they don't need to, driving up the cost for all of us," Dr Leigh and co-author Richard Holden wrote.

“But there's a better way of operating a health system, and the change should hardly hurt at all.

“As economists have shown, the ideal model involves a small co-payment - not enough to put a dent in your weekly budget, but enough to make you think twice before you call the doc."

Dr Leigh argued the fee should be enough to deter “frivolous GP visits”, but not enough to limit genuine preventive care. The fee should apply to everyone, including pensioners, except those who are chronically ill, he wrote.

Dr Leigh, who has opposed the proposal in media appearances over recent weeks, told Fairfax Media: "Since 2003, a lot has changed in the health care system, and I've changed my view on co-payments.

 “A GP co-payment was originally a Hawke government proposal led by Brian Howe, a member of the Left faction,” he said.

“As long as it is applied fairly across the community, a co-payment is a perfectly valid policy measure. If Andrew Leigh, before he had to toe the party line, recognised that then I welcome his contribution to the debate. I respect Andrew Leigh as a sensible economist.”

On Saturday, Dr Leigh, a former professor of economics at the Australian National University, distanced himself from an article he wrote in 2004 supporting fee deregulation for universities – another policy opposed by Labor.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/labor-frontbencher-andrew-leigh-shifts-positio...

Yes, it’s the very well respected ALP whey-faced Dr Andrew Leigh who virtually declared his previous books and speeches as mere works of fiction. This brings into sharp focus Dr Leigh's economics degree.

[watta*drama*queen]

Perhaps a reading of Don Quixote might inform you !

[icyfroth]

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@serendipityricho wrote:

Hi Icy-just asking--did the twin brother end up

with a head shaped like a light bulb as well?..............................Richo.

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Dunno Richo, He's not seen in public much. Probably too embarrassed.

[ladydeburg]

Plibbbersek is trying to FORCE labor members  to  vote yes on gay marriage, no concience vote will be tolerated. How can this be democracy??

[icyfroth]

They discussed that on Bolt this morning.  Bolt, ex-Labor minister Warren Mundine and Ms Gillard's ex-advisor, Nicholas Reece. Both Labor men agreed it couldn't be enforced.

For one, the Labor party has several Muslim members, and would never go against their religion to vote for gay marriage support, and neither would staunch Christian members. 

[cherry*135]

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@watta*drama*queen wrote:

Perhaps a reading of Don Quixote might inform you !

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No need to. The OP is obvioulsy well versed with it, she can inform us.

[cherry*135]

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@ladydeburg wrote:

Plibersek is trying to FORCE labor members  to  vote yes on gay marriage, no concience vote will be tolerated. How can this be democracy??

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Is that statement 100% accurate?

[cherry*135]

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@icyfroth wrote:

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@serendipityricho wrote:

Hi Icy-just asking--did the twin brother end up

with a head shaped like a light bulb as well?..............................Richo.

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Dunno Richo, He's not seen in public much. Probably too embarrassed.

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Doh - they are non-identical twins, I already posted that way back in this thread.

[debra9275]

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@icyfroth wrote:

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@am*3 wrote:

Where do we sign up?

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I thought you and your trusty little Dulcinante already had.

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@debra9275 wrote:

What does "Dulcinante" mean and who are you talking about?

@watta*drama*queen wrote:

Perhaps a reading of Don Quixote might inform you !

how very insightful of you watta

yes I know of the character "Dulcinea"but I've never heard anyone called a "Dulcinante" before.

why would anyone read a book to find out what it means??  the person who said it can explain it herself can't she??

[icyfroth]

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@debra9275 wrote:

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@icyfroth wrote:

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@am*3 wrote:

Where do we sign up?

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I thought you and your trusty little Dulcinante already had.

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@debra9275 wrote:

What does "Dulcinante" mean and who are you talking about?

@watta*drama*queen wrote:

Perhaps a reading of Don Quixote might inform you !

how very insightful of you watta

yes I know of the character "Dulcinea"but I've never heard anyone called a "Dulcinante" before.

why would anyone read a book to find out what it means??  the person who said it can explain it herself can't she??

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has it occured to you to google it?

[debra9275]

what? the character Dulcinea?

has it occurred to you to say who you are calling a dulcinante and what you mean??