Health Care and Human Services

The manner in which we care for the most frail in our community is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves.

Since the arrival of the Abbott conservative government, there has been a brutal attack on health care and human services in Australia. With the recent changes to cabinet and the appointment of Scott Morrison to what is now called "Social Services", notice the "Human" has been removed from the department's name, we can expect the same brutal in-human approach that he applied to his Immigration portfolio.

Medicare

Most Australian's pay 2% of their taxable income to the Medicare Levy. The levy increased from 1.5% to 2.0% in July 2014. When I hear government representatives refer to "free healthcare" I can't help but feel they forget that working Australian's pay 2% of their income to the levy.

The current Federal Senate has managed to block the government attempts to impose a $7.00 fee to visit a GP, however they've now decided to reduce what government pays to GP's by $5.00 in the hope doctors will pass this onto their patients.

"Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced the contentious budget proposal will be dropped. 

"There will be no change to bulk billing for children under 16, for pensioners, for veterans, for people in nursing homes and other aged care institutions," Mr Abbott said. 

However, the Government is cutting the Medicare rebate paid to doctors by $5 a visit in a bid to address the "troublesome issue of six-minute medicine" and encourage doctors to spend more time with patients."1

There has to be a better way.

It's clear, regardless of who's presenting the numbers, that with our ageing population and diminishing working segment of the community contributing 2% of their income, we need to find another source of income for Medicare.

I believe that the Medicare Levy needs to be revisited and perhaps adjusted based on a person's income. I'm in a fortunate position where I earn a decent wage, but as a gay man I have no children and I have limited use of the current health care system. I'm sure that will change as I get older.

I would be more than happy for my Medicare Levy to be increased from 2% to 4% to help sustain Medicare and ensure it's longevity and access to it for the wider community. 

In an ideal world, I would seek advise from financial experts to help arrive at a percentage that makes sense and is sustainable, so I'm open to input on the 4% and the the associated scale to which it should be applied to various income levels.

"In an interview with Fairfax Media to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the scheme, Professor Deeble said: "In a rich country, in an advanced society, anything is sustainable if the society says it is." 2

Just as I'm delighted that my tax dollars help support an education system for Australian youth, I believe health care is as critical a need. It's clear that a preventative approach to health care delivers significant savings over time.

The more we can do to ensure people seek medical advice for whatever ails them, is a critical step to ensuring the health of our people.

I strongly believe that everyone should contribute to Medicare for the wellness of the nation as a whole. 

Private Health Care

The private health care industry is a key component of Australia's health services strategy. I'm strongly apposed to the Medicare Levy Surcharge, an imposition of what is effectively a fine for people who choose not to have private health care.

Should a person over 30 not have private health care, yes they should be "fined". However, if they then choose to seek Private Health cover, the surcharge should not apply for the next tax period where private health cover is in place.



SOURCE: 

1 - ABC News December 10, 2014 "Federal Government dumps $7 GP co-payment, but doctors may recoup $5 Medicare rebate cut"

2 - The Sydney Morning Herald February 1, 2014. "Raising Medicare levy the solution to health costs, says architect."