(Australia) Health groups fear $5 GP fee will hit hospital emergency departments

[The Straight Story]

Hospital emergency departments could be overrun by patients trying to avoid a proposed $5 fee to see a doctor being considered by the Abbott Government.

And health groups have warned chronically ill patients who put off seeing a doctor because of the cost could see their condition worsen and require much more expensive hospital treatment.

The government's Commission of Audit is considering the introduction of a $5 fee for bulk billing doctors to reduce unnecessary visits to GPs and save the government around $750 million a year.

Mr Abbott has refused to rule out the introduction of the fee and has warned in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph the country does "need a massive fiscal repair job".

Health Minister Peter Dutton said yesterday "we won't be commenting on speculation around what the Commission of Audit may or may not recommend".

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-groups-fear-5-gp-fee-will-hit-hospital-emergency-departments/story-fneuz9ev-1226791543887

[dipsydoodle]

1. That's US$ 4.42

What happens in the USA out of curiosity ?

[The Straight Story]

2. $20-$35 co-pay to see the Dr (if you are lucky enough to have insurance) (nt)

[Orrex]

6. Plus two or three hundred if you need to have lab work or x-rays

Depending on how your insurance is set up.

[Laelth]

3. Just goes to show how bad things are in the U.S. n/t

-Laelth

[hobbit709]

4. There's millions here who would be ecstatic about only paying $5 to see a doctor.

[Violet_Crumble]

5. How long will it be before Abbott tries to dismantle Medicare totally?

This $5 fee may not sound like much to people in America who pay much more to see a doctor, but this is specifically aimed at low income earners and pensioners, not people like me who can afford to pay to see a doctor. My parents are on a pension and because they're getting old, both of them have regular trips to their GP and specialists as my mum has Alzheimer and my dad has skin cancer. The pension's not much, so multiple necessary trips to the doctor at $5 a go is really going to add up quick for them.

Abbott's a disgusting POS...