AMA strongly supports National Disability Insurance Scheme

Dr Hambleton said that the Government has quickly responded to the comprehensive recommendations of the Productivity Commission in a very positive manner.

“The AMA has been pushing for a long term national care scheme for the severely injured since the Howard Government introduced its medical indemnity rescue package in December 2003,” Dr Hambleton said.

The immediate past President of the AMA, Dr Andrew Pesce, has been a passionate campaigner for a long-term care scheme in Australia for around a decade. Dr Pesce was the AMA’s lead negotiator for the indemnity rescue package back in 2003 and more recently was a member of the independent panel advising the Government and the Productivity Commission on long-term care and support for disabled Australians.

Dr Pesce said today that the introduction of the National Disability Support Scheme would be a defining moment in social equity in Australia.

“It is an opportunity for truly transformational reform for the benefit of the most vulnerable people in our community,” Dr Pesce said.

“For too long, support for people with disabilities has come from a hotchpotch of programs and schemes that have rarely provided comprehensive and necessary support.

“For too long, the burden of disability has fallen on the shoulders of the disabled and their family carers, with little effective outside assistance.

“When fully implemented, a National Disability Insurance Scheme will provide all Australians with early intervention and support, based on need, regardless of the cause or type of injury that led to the disability.

“There is always the possibility that any one of us may one day suffer from a life changing disability, or have a close family member, who depends on us, becoming disabled.

“The proposed scheme aims, as far as is possible, to maximise the ability of people with a disability to take their place in our society in a productive and positive way,” Dr Pesce said.

Dr Hambleton and Dr Pesce said it was heartening that the Scheme has the broad support of the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, who, as Health Minister, was instrumental in delivering the medical indemnity rescue package in 2003.  The AMA now urges the States to get behind it.

10 August 2011

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

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