According to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, the non-coverage of all GP visits by Medicare allows patients with minor conditions to fill in hospitals.
In New South Wales, almost three million people or half of the population of the state have visited an emergency department in 2018-19. Half of it was considered as non-or semi-urgent.
Mr. Hazzard has told that hospital departments served as a substitute for GPs and demanded a massive change in the system, including the increased pay for specialists.
He added that if people would be given a choice between choosing on paying GPs or going to an emergency department for free, it’s already obvious what would they choose. With this, Mr. Hazzard is serious in insisting the change should take place.
The allocation towards the reduction of low-urgency emergency hospital presentations and unnecessary hospital admissions is expected to save up to $4.5 billion annually, according to the RACGP’s Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system.
RACGP President Dr. Harry Nespolon reminded that GP should be mindful of the costs and gaps that are being charged to the patients.
According to the report, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt expressed his intention to allow private health insurers to handle out-of-pocket payments within GP clinics. Such a move was supported by the funds but criticised by various healthcare bodies such as the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) and Consumers Health Forum (CHF).
Dr. Nespolon has told that he is interested in a more detailed outline showing how patient rebated could be covered by private health insurers but added that the Government should not stop in restoring primary care funding despite other proposed reform.
He also mentioned that the pressure mounting upon the system is due to the Medicare freeze that removed almost $1 billion out of general practice that hasn’t been replaced yet.
The figure was expected to grow around $2.45 billion by 2023, a problem that should be responded by the Government immediately.
Medicare is important to the Australian healthcare sector. The government should not allow any moves that would hinder the most vulnerable in accessing appropriate healthcare.
