Fed: Govt under fire over bulk-billing rates
The bush is facing a rapid decline in doctors who bulk-bill -- and the government'sunder fire for failing to address the problem.
Documents obtained under Freedom of Information reveal rural and regional communitieshave a far lower -- and falling -- chance of a free visit to the doctor.
Opposition health spokesman STEPHEN SMITH says the government was told of the rapiddecline in bulk-billing as far back as December 2001, but has failed to address the problem.
Mr SMITH has told ABC Radio the health minister's saying the figures are disappointing,but Labor says they're a catastrophe.
The FOI documents, obtained by The Australian newspaper, show only 60 per cent of ruralcommunities and remote regions can bulk-bill for unreferred services compared with 86per cent of Sydney residents.
Health Minister KAY PATTERSON says the figures are disappointing.
AAP RTV sal/jmt
KEYWORD: MEDICARE (CANBERRA)
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий