A desperate Albanese has again gone berserk with our money, blowing truckloads on Medicare. His partner in the uniparty has said “me too”. In fact, Dutton wants to beat Albanese's $8.5 billion with an even $9 billion.

90% of visits to the doctor will be paid for by the taxpayers.

Both members of the small target uniparty are trying to bribe voters, instead of reducing spending, reducing the public sector, and doing something useful. They are just chasing each other in circles like two dogs having fun in the backyard.

Having the excellent health services that Australia
has is a big reason that attracts people to this
country. And why those in this country keep voting
for parties that don't make cuts to these services.

That's the reality. Also we have an aging population.
Health services are vital.

Dear Foxy,

«Having the excellent health services that Australia has is a big reason that attracts people to this country»

Well if the government's new plan for bulk-billing goes ahead then I may no longer be allowed to see my GP!

You see, according to this plan doctors will receive extra if they bulk-bill ALL their patients,
but because I don't use Medicare and pay cash instead,
accepting me as patient could spoil my doctor's status so he might refuse to see me.

And even if he agreed to see me, then since Medicare will be paying him $84 per visit,
then I will be required to pay him at the least the same (currently I pay $65 per visit).

Great country, isn't it...

Yuyutsu,

My husband was rushed to a public hospital last night.
He had to have emergency surgery for a
problematic hernia. He's going to be in hospital for
a week.

After that we're both going to go into "respite" and rehab care
under assessment - "My Aged Care" for which the government pays.

No complaints from us.

I forgot to add that we've always had private health
cover - and paid our wy, including for ambulance
membership. We've also in the past have handed our
private health cover to public hospitals to help as
much as we can. And we've never been disappointed in
the services we received. We believe that if we can -
we should support the excellent health services and
their staff - in this country.

Dear Foxy,

I won't argue about the quality of Australian health services in themselves, which fortunately I don't know much about, yet what use are excellent health services if they are only available to those who are willing to use Medicare?
Should the government's plan become law, it seems that I will be barred from seeing my excellent GP.

Yes, I also had a private health insurance - until I discovered that I can only pay my premiums but could never enjoy its benefits if, God forbid, I needed to.

Why is that?
Because even though the health insurance was supposed to be "private", government/Medicare partly participates in all medical claims whether I like it or not. After exchanging some letters with the legal department of my private-health provider and my local MP, I found that there is no way I could avoid and forfeit this co-payment, which the "private-health" insurers are legally obliged to provide.

I therefore abandoned my PHI and instead took up an international/overseas health insurance which is not bound by Australian law (and is quite more expensive, though this is compensated for by my very high excess, way higher than what is allowed in Australia).

Now besides praising the Australian health system and how you and others seem to benefit from it, can you please address my concern directly and tell me whether you consider it fair to ban me from seeing my Australian GP when I am unwell?