Fee for visiting a GP

[donnashuggy]

What people really think: 

[para-sights]

there also no way of knowing that if waiting timesetc are reduced that that figures will reflect  actual patients or from people with minor complaints reductions. And if legitimate complaints are being put off then the long term medical health implications will be far worse both on the patient and the health system

[boris1gary]

Yes health care should be free to all, fact is it isn't. We are (in my opinion) heading toward a US style of healthcare, if you don't have the cash you die. Even if your one of the few who has health insurance it is up to the insurer not your health professional to decide what treatment you can and can't have.

NSW State Govt has already introduced similar style legislation for injured workers - frightening.

[***super_nova***]

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@**meep** wrote:

Those who can't afford it ie concession card holders, will not be required to pay.

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There are many families with small children living on low wages but not low enough to qualify for concession card. If you have 3+ small kids you might be at doctors every other week, and if you also need to get some medication each script also costs.  It can all come to hundreds of $.  There are also other people on low wages with serious illnesses needing to see their doctor regularly, and again needing medication.

[***super_nova***]

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@polksaladallie wrote:

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Paying medicare doesn't stop well off people clogging up hospital outpatient and emergency departments when they can afford to go to local clinics and private specialists.  While the emergency department is called thus, it is used for anything from sniffles to the dying.  If a small fee was charged, this might help, but no government will touch it.

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Do you have proof that "wealthy" people chose to sit for 8+ hours in emergency department rather than seeing local clinic?  And if somebody is so perverted that they are doing that I somehow doubt small fee would stop them.

[tall_bearded]

On three occasions in the last couple of years I’ve had the pleasure of attended at the accident and emergency department of our nearest metropolitan public hospital. The first accompanying my wife who was vomiting blood, the second time accompanying my wife who was having chest pain and lastly myself, accompanied by my wife, with a broken leg. 

On each and every occasion we went by car as we could not afford the ambulance bill, and though it was early in the shift (before noon), the waiting room was packed, but on all three occassions, we spotted not one person who I would say fell within the definition of “middle class”.  Why would they.  That is why would they spend hours sitting a waiting room to save less than the cost of your average pub meal with a couple of beers/wines.

As to the people who were there, I would say 10 percent fell within the definition of “emergency” with the remainder being low income earnerswith general medical conditions, who were there because they couldn’t get an appointment with a doctor who bulk billed.  How did I arrive at that opinion?  Though a lot were complaining about how long it was taking to see a doctor, we waited no more a few minutes (chest pain) or up to an  half hour (the broken leg).  In fact as I hobbled out on crutches some of those who were complaining when I went in, were still waiting.

[freakiness]

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@**meep** wrote:

I think 12 free visits per year is reasonable.

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Those who need more visits than 12 visits per year probably have other medical related expenses to worry about as well.  Who are we to declare 12 visits is enough for a child with serious health issues who needs to see a doctor more regularly?

[donnashuggy]

I  think meep means that 12 visits is reasonable if you are well. 🙂

[bright.ton42]

Someone mentioned earlier that the older people will be affected, but if they are entitled to a health care card they will be bulk billed.  If older people are not entitled to a health care card then they can afford to pay that small amount.  

[purple_haize]

Only older people that have either a concession  card or pension card are exempt.

[***super_nova***]

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@bright.ton42 wrote:

Someone mentioned earlier that the older people will be affected, but if they are entitled to a health care card they will be bulk billed.  If older people are not entitled to a health care card then they can afford to pay that small amount.  

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Some old people may not be entitled to healthcare card, but might have complicated medical condition which require number of doctor visits and many medications.  They each cost only "small" amount but when you add everything up it can come to a lot.  As well as not being entitled to rates, car rego and utilities discounts; many self funded retirees are already struggling. 

Interestingly, self funded retirees often vote LNP.  When will people wake up to the fact that LNP only cares about the top 5% of the population?