Launching the AMA Federal Budget Submission 2003-2004 in Canberra today, AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, called on the Federal Government to make health policy its major domestic policy priority as a matter of urgency.
Dr Phelps said the Government had 'dropped the ball' on health and major work is needed to address doctor shortages, medical indemnity, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and equitable access for all Australians to affordable quality health care.
She said the Government must preserve the private health rebate, maintain public hospital funding, increase funding for aged care, veterans care and indigenous health, and commission White Papers on General Practice and the PBS.
Dr Phelps said the AMA is also advocating an increase in the Medicare levy to help cover shortfalls in the health budget.
Dr Phelps said the Australian community would not accept a Federal Budget with no new health spending as forecast by the Government's 'senior Ministers group' in December 2002 [Australian Financial Review, page 1, 16 December 2002].
"While the Government seeks to focus on defence and security issues, it cannot afford to ignore the major domestic policy priority, which is health," Dr Phelps said.