A Letter I have written to Sussan Ley

I have been in the position where I had two very small children, we were new parents and did not have any family nearby.
This was overseas and there was no health service. We finally got to the stage where we were scared to take our children to the doctor because we owed him so much.
When we left to move to a country where there was a health service, we had to leave with unpaid medical bills.

I do not want to see this happen here especially when large amounts of money are being spent on military equipment that is not needed.
If we had not interfered with Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Syria, we would not be threatened by terrorists.
Large military forces are not needed to combat local terrorists , it is a police force problem.

This government is spending huge amounts on overseas travel that could be better spent on support for the health service.

Big business is being subsidised when they are all ready making obscene profits.
The large shareholders are avoiding tax.
The inequality of income is widening.

Now we are seeing a move to dismantle the health system.

If you are serious about running this country for everyone and not just for the rich, then this approach must stop.
Please do not proceed with this attempt to re- privatise the health system

‘morning Robert,

“Dismantling the Health System”. What a great idea, user pays, fair to earners and recipients. It won’t stop some from skipping the country leaving their medical bills behind for some other poor struggling mugs to pay for them but hey, you can’t have everything.

Then we can make the social safety net just that, cut overseas aid, kill off renewable energy, stop PPL for government employees to bring them into line with every other parents in the country, get rid of all the replica UN agencies blighting our budget, stop our Universities from producing “humanities and bongo drum” degrees which now represent 28% of our University output, start work for the dole as fruit pickers and stop all funding to NGO’s.

There, we have just added about $25bn a year to our bottom line.

Well done Robert, you are a star.

It's time Abbott went, how long can this mess of a govt continue.
Abbott shoots from the hip and doesn't care who gets in the way. This man has the makings of a terrorist. Get it over with.

Ya gotta laugh...another cunning plan from the PM's Office bites the dust.

How many back flips now is that from this dud leadership team?

I think yesterday's was the best so far.....more popcorn, please

It was the backbenches who were revolting.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-backbench-revolt-that-forced-tony-abbott-to-back-down-over-20-gp-fee-20150116-12rs6g.html

"The backbench revolt that forced Tony Abbott to back down over $20 GP fee"

I'll just drop this here...

Journalist, Latika Burke just tweeted this:

"Had numerous govt peeps texting me black humour jokes about PMO’s performance this week. I remember when it got like this for Labor w. JG…"

Days are numbered for Abbott and Credlin, IMO.

That's Latika "Bourke"

I opened this thread with excitement: "Oh, here is another who wants to dismantle the health system!"

As my time is short, I will only say that I agree with Spindoc on most accounts, except for the clause on "work for the dole".

I have no wish to hurt the poor - there should be some other way to compensate them and allow them to still receive medical treatment should they want to.

But I also have no wish to continue bowing down to the AMA Mafia, a powerful cartel which even the government (including Abbot's) is afraid of. There should be a level playing field between them and other health practitioners, both conventional and alternative, who do not comply with their structure and philosophy.

That's just what we need here, more people who run away from their debts.

Who the hell vets these people, & lets them in.

A few thousand public servants, [HA], need a good massage with the green end of a pineapple, or their wages & pensions docked to pay for the bludgers they've let in.

Definitely time to dismantle the health system, it is attracting the wrong type of people.

Its quite simple..ban every smoker, drinker and junk food addict from the public health system and it becomes affordable overnight.

The problem isn't the average person who looks after their health its the self inflicted health problems the drunks, smokers and obese create for themselves that are clogging up the system.

But of course Tony Abbott is financed by big tobacco and the alcohol and junk food giants so its easier for him to beat up on the poor and the elderly.

Abbott and his cronies had it completely wrong in this vain attempt to 'save money'.

By suggesting that the Doctors are trying to rip Medicare off by rushing patients through their surgeries in blocks of less than 10 minute consultations, they neglected to realise that there ARE many patients who do only want a quick visit.....for scripts, or test results, or sick certificates etc.

By trying to reduce the rebate to GP's by $20 for these short consultations, the Doctors will just pass this on to their patients. That is even worse than the $7 co-payment.
Patients would be lining up at the Emergency Departments to get their 'free' healthcare there instead.

Blind Freddy could see that....but not Abbott.
Why aren't they increasing the GST, so they spread the load over all the population, and not just the sick and the poor?

Abbott is not running a government, he's running a three ringed circus! I copped the new Heath Minister, Sussan Ley (she is a woman, what happened) trying to put a brave face with lots of spin on the latest Abbott fiasco.

"I have become aware of significant concerns and unintended consequences of changes to Medicare rebates scheduled to begin on Monday," she said, so therefore its now;

" As a result, I'm announcing today that the changes to level A and B Medicare consultation items will not commence on Monday as planned."The Government is taking them off the table."

Policy on the run, it changes daily. All this wouldn't have anything to do with the fact, Abbott's back door ploy of trying to introduce changes through what he calls "regulation", and not consulting the democratically elected people's representatives in parliament has failed yet again. The Senate would have voted down Abbott's stupid changes.

Nice opening post Robert, good to see we still have some good thinking people on the forum and from the other side; "need a good massage with the green end of a pineapple," Hasbeen such violence, and coming from a man of peace such as yourself. Ha ha.

The Abbott Credlin govt; has started the new year with a no brainer, after all of the B?S we were given about a more compassionate and thoughtful governance for 2015.
What will be the next exciting under-thought from this mob.
The last of the Abbott worshipers are still clinging to remnants of filthy mind numbing, so called policy. You have to be staunch or stupid.

Crowie, I'm with you. If you can't demonstrate that you are taking steps to live a healthy life, then you pay. I also suggest a 20% levy on all junk food.

Robert, what would make you decide to raise a family in a country that you knew you could not afford?

This is one of our greatest problems here, where we have so many willingly spitting out kids knowing damned well they can't afford to raise them, then whining and bitching because the subsidies, provided by others, is insufficient to provide for their kids, and often their own pleasures/ habits.

The coalitions health policy can not be copied or printed for some reason. Butch and co; you know what you say will never happen,health complaints are all caused from legal substance. Whether they are any good for you or not doesn’t count they are legal. Obesity is a fault that needs rectifying, that is ones own fault. Tell Abbott about it and he will put a fat tax on it, even though he said no new taxes.
If you think Abbott gets a lot of criticizing it’s because of his own fault. Do you think

Yes 579, he does suffer from foot in mouth at times, but just look at the mess he has inherited. He feels he must fix the budget and stop the bleeding, but he is being hog tied.

Personally I think we can't loose because option one is we get his tough ways through, or option two, we go back to labor and keep borrowing and let the next generations to follow worry about it. I can't see a third option, can you!

579, an Abbott (Reg) government party meeting when discussing the Senate (Romans) goes a lot like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9foi342LXQE

Crikey dopey Abbott cant even govern properly after a landslide victory so imagine the mess if he had convinced the independents to support him in 2010.
Oh well, after the next election Labor will back in power with Julie Bishop as Opposition leader so lets hope that she's not as hopeless as Abbott turned out to be.

Paul Abbott to a t.
Butch
Tough ways, the ways are not reasonable, that is why he can't get legislation on his side, and rightly so.

And you don,t think Abbott is borrowing, our deficit has moved along in leaps and bounds, and it's all because of Abbott and Credlin's policy's,
which were so far over the top they can-not be passed.

It will take realistic budget measures for any thing to pass senate. The last fiasco was the end, to announce a commencement date and not even inform his backbench is a disgrace and unforgivable.

As a nation we can not go on like this, we need leadership, not cowboy policy and indecision

Agree 100% 579, lets hope Abbott is like that Liberal wombat they had in Victoria, a one term wonder.
The 'Usual Suspects' have fallen for the Abbott line hook, line and sinker, that so called fiscal crises, yet this mob can find a lazy half a bill to send our boys and girls to fight in another crazy Iraq War. I though the Yanks said it was "Mission accomplished" or some such dribble. In my time, the Conservatives have always gone on about no money for schools, hospitals, etc etc, but have always found plenty to fight in unjust wars all over the place.

Dear Suse,

<<they neglected to realise that there ARE many patients who do only want a quick visit.....for scripts, or test results, or sick certificates etc.>>

One doesn't need to study 7 years to perform such clerical tasks.

The problem are the laws which prevent other people to perform those tasks, for much less pay. Those protectionist laws were instigated by the AMA, which is even more powerful than government.

Why for example shouldn't an adult be able to prescribe their own medicines (unsubsidised, it's not my intention to open the gate wide for mass theft of public funds)? Besides the doctor's fee, what an anguish and time wasting it is, with some people even foregoing their medication because they can't get an appointment or find the time for it.

Is a doctor truly the best expert on whether or not a person tells the truth or is only seeking time off work? I think a policeman can do a better job at that.

Test results can be delivered by the doctor's receptionist, better still the patient can sign their agreement for the results to be mailed directly to them (signature is required to avoid privacy issues).

One more example of the PMO (Credlin and Abbott) totally out of control and incompetent.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/tony-abbott-insisted-on-20-cut-to-medicare-rebate-in-heated-clash-before-backflip/story-fnii5s41-1227188083875

"TONY Abbott defied Treasurer Joe Hockey and the former Health Minister Peter Dutton to impose a “crazy’’ $20 cut to GP rebates before backflipping on the policy he had demanded.

In a highly damaging leak from the powerful expenditure review committee, senior ministers have confirmed they were told Mr Hockey and Mr Dutton opposed the move during a “heated’’ exchange with the Prime Minister.

The warnings included concerns that rolling out new changes to GP consults in the lead up to the Queensland and NSW state election was “crazy’’."

"As the backbench continues to question the Prime Minister’s political judgment and the “command and control’’ approach of his office, MPs insist that the original advice of the Treasurer and the Health Minister was overruled.

However, stung by a grassroots backlash to the policy by his own Liberal MPs, a campaign by GPs and the prospect that the measure was doomed in the Senate, Mr Abbott formed the view that it must be dumped while “taking soundings’’ as he drank beers at the cricket on Thursday."

Yuyutsu,

"Why for example shouldn't an adult be able to prescribe their own medicines...."

That's pretty dumb - if you don't mind me saying. Do you believe that people with no training in the areas of medicine and pharmacology should go about willy-nilly prescribing their own medication?

Although, long-term repeat prescriptions used to be available at the counter - especially for medications that didn't require constant monitoring.

Abbott and Credlin partenership may well be finished soon after a return of parliament. He has blown every chance and still doesn’t get the message.

Abbott has since gone to ground. Probably to keep out of the blazing sun, which he has no interest in [ crap] So much for the 5 % reduction which we were on target for. He may even go into one of his robotic, no speak modes and totally confuse everyone again.

It would be best if the coalition locked him away and just let nature take it’s course, then there is the other problem of that one who calls the shots to overcome. The backbenchers need to un-gag themselves and take charge of what they were elected for, that would be a good start.

It is going to be a dramatic year, pity I won’t be here for 2.5 months, I will be missing quite a lot of action I believe. Not all of this world has high speed internet like Australia is going to get one day, when the dud system is stripped out and replaced by fibre to the house.

A very powerful leak. Big joe has a black eye and Dutton had a chair smashed over his head, that is how Abbott compromises with members of parliament. It's time Abbott was taken for what he is and disposed of.

Abbott's open govt; is beginning to work at last. At least we know what has been happening in the last few days. Will we ever know what his big mouth got us into in Iraq.

All that noise to try and save $1.3billion over the next few years, in typically mean and tricky way.

Meanwhile we're giving $1billion to foreigners to look for MH370 and by their own definitions and calculations, we're "borrowing" twice as much as the ALP to service THEIR now deliberately inflated deficit.

It was never about money, it was about sabotaging Medicare to make it increasingly unworkable while creating a fund to hand money over to what will likely be private companies for "research" while our hospitals crumble.

Backing down at the last minute while claiming that it was in response to medical concerns is just another lie.

It's time to resurrect that term "shambolic".

579 thanks for that inside scoop, its fortunate Joe and Pete will not have to pay the $7 'Medicare Tax' when seeking GP assistance. Otherwise they would have to go to a state hospital emergency department and wait 16 hours for help! This latest revelation is terrible, I am appalled. Have either been hospitalised? Plese tell us more.

Dear Poirot,

<<Do you believe that people with no training in the areas of medicine and pharmacology should go about willy-nilly prescribing their own medication?>>

I definitely believe that nobody has a right to forbid others to get their own medication.

Individuals should not be denied the freedom to poison themselves - although my intention was more in line of providing alternatives.

Whether they have training or otherwise (and whether or not you approve of that training) is nobody else's business - however, if they don't have the training, they still have many avenues for advice - including the pharmacist, including overseas doctors (the video-service is already available over the web), including friends and family member who studied medicine but perhaps didn't fully qualify; or have retired; or are interstate or not in Australia; or are banned by the AMA because they practice alternative medicine; or simply do not agree to part of the established system. Then of course there are the repeat-medications which you already mentioned.

question for Robert LePage - did you repay the debt you skipped out on, or did you just take advantage of the doctor who extended his services trusting you would eventually pay him?

Yuyutsu,

You first state...

"Why for example shouldn't an adult be able to prescribe their own medicines (unsubsidised, it's not my intention to open the gate wide for mass theft of public funds)? Besides the doctor's fee, what an anguish and time wasting it is, with some people even foregoing their medication because they can't get an appointment or find the time for it."

So your call for people to be able to prescribe their own "medication" is linked to those medications prescribed by trained medicos.

Now you flippantly say...

"I definitely believe that nobody has a right to forbid others to get their own medication.

Individuals should not be denied the freedom to poison themselves - although my intention was more in line of providing alternatives."

So by "alternatives" - you seem to be alluding to those traditional or otherwise non-pharmaceutical remedies.

Okay!

That's far cry from the meaning you delivered earlier.

As far as not denying people the right to poison themselves.

I know you view the human state as rather nebulous, but people usually seek medical assistance with a view to alleviating their suffering. Often in the modern world, that is achieved best by approaching someone who has knowledge on the subject of their problem.

So we might be in a transient state, consisting of atoms and whatnot that will migrate to other forms when we cease living...but under the circs, most people prefer not to suffer if it can be avoided.

Hence, poisoning themselves out of ignorance is usually not really a goer.

Dear Poirot,

I was not suggesting or recommending that one SHOULD poison oneself, certainly not out of ignorance. This can be remedied for example by the pharmacist ascertaining the genuineness of the intent, that it is not a mistake, by asking the person: "Do you understand what this drug does and what dosage is recommended?".

I was referring to BOTH conventional and non-conventional medicines.

By "alternatives" I also included non-Australian or remote doctors that provide their service over the internet. As another alternative, in most cases of common illnesses the pharmacist also has much experience and can provide adequate advice themselves (including "I suggest you see a doctor" if they aren't sure).

Are you aware that some people who studied medicine are banned by the AMA from practising it because they practice alternative medicine? Some of them would have wanted to mix and practice BOTH conventional and traditional medicine as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, but are legally prevented because the AMA Mafia has complete hold over government.

Nothing of course is to stop those who seek medical assistance from seeing a medical doctor with a view to alleviate their suffering - this should always remain an option for anyone who wants it.

Best we don’t have witch doctor medication. Stick with scientifically proven substances. People have come unstuck by their beliefs in alternative medication.
Your dislike of the AMA, because they don’t believe in alternate medication, well maybe they believe in people not doing harm or nothing at all to themselves with unproven medications.
In any case there has got to be regulation to safeguard against tribal practices. As with anything where humans are involved.

As Abbott and his cronies in Canberra are philosophically opposed to a public heath system, if they had their way Medicare would be totally dismantled. Abbott would replace Medicare with a dog eat dog, American styled health system, where the rich and famous have the luxury of face lifts and boob jobs at will, performed by the finest surgeons, whilst the poor battlers would be left to rely on faith healing and quackery!

<<In any case there has got to be regulation to safeguard against tribal practices.>>

The White/European tribe has won, the worshippers of science have conquered and raised their black flag with the test-tube symbol and destroyed the temples of all other tribes: science invented guns and missiles, combat helicopters and the Bomb - Woe unto the defeated!

Long live colonialism...

<<As with anything where humans are involved.>>

Fascism too!

<<People have come unstuck by their beliefs in alternative medication.>>

I.E. They failed to be obedient, stick with and be loyal to their conquerors.

God help us !
Reading the plethora of political claptrap here on a serious problem
I am at a loss to see where we can turn for policy.

For many years Medicare with the private health funds did a job that
many countries wished they could duplicate. Even Hilory Clinton tried
to interest the US politicians in our system, but to no avail.
Nothing is perfect but it got close enough.

All that was in a time of cheap energy and many indulgences were
possible in those times, note the growth of family benefits, single
mother pensions etc etc etc.

Well kiddies those times are OVER !

Cheap energy ended with peak oil in 2005 !
Now live with it, never again, aside from miracles, will we have the
cash to splash around like the last 50 years.
The government, either consciously, or unconsciously has realised
this and is trying to adjust to the new normal.
The opposition is simply in denial.
They can't be blamed for that because most of you on here, including
the resident Labour Party computer are either in denial or have not
been fed relevant information.

So forget your political wheelbarrows, put on your thinking caps
and see if you can dream up a political and financial compatible system of heath care.

Yuyutsu,

I'm assuming you don't have any medical conditions. I do - so I have some experience. Regardless, I do use natural alternatives.

I have a natural beauty book. I've made a hair washing recipe from it - and it's excellent. It saves money, and I don't have to buy dishwashing detergent (sorry shampoo and conditioner) and these are environmentally toxic. People in earlier times, used herbal products, to make things and these did work. However "full on" health conditions, require science and intelligent specialists to diagnose patients (if you want to live) and in some cases, also involve other specialists.

I have Epilepsy and over the past (seven) years I have had to try so many medications to come to a "balance" which has reduced my seizures by around 90-95% now. One medication I was allergic to, during this period gave me a horrible shaking problem. I am now on (seven) medications per week, as my previous medication I was allergic to (and gave me a bone density condition) - which I take medication for.

I do agree, better options are needed re prescriptions, (sometimes I'll have to pay the gap payment and not other times) - but people have to realise the costs of running a clinic - rental is high, the staff costs are high and other costs are usually high. Simply property and corporate sector rip offs.

I don't want chemists deciding what amounts of medication I take, as it's open to abuse - or deciding by myself. A woman one day asked me what medication I was on (on public transport) - and asked if she could buy some. I said no.

Medication levels are put to me by my Neurologist and Bone Density Specialist, with details sent to my GP. We should keep medication levels and access (DRUGS) out of the hands of the public (like me) and have the decisions made by qualified people who know what they are doing. I 100% value that.

Peak oil is your belief Bazz. The coalition govt; DNA analysis says they do not like anything that is subsidised by tax payers $.

Why don't they tax the top end of town instead of hitting the small fish all the time. You must be aware of the budget that Hockey, Abbott, and Credlin put together, a load of steaming hot dung.

Oil won't get any cheaper than it is at present, the world is not using the amount of oil like it was once, and may never happen again. Once a vehicle is made that does not rely on petroleum, oil will be there for greasing fence posts so they can slide into the hole easier.

Abbott is not suitable for the task at hand, until that is addressed we are destined to be entertained by bumbling idiotism.

C 579
Logon: Bazz
Password: splat
> Well PO happened and the volatility in price is just as expected.
The high cost of energy is eating up our excess cash which we once
were able to spend on all those entitlements.
I hear lots of abuse of the government because they seem to realise
what is ahead of us.
Haven't you heard all the talk about poor growth figures all around
the world ? That is what will be coming for all of us and is also
known as Zero Growth. At least it will be if we can manage it properly
because the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

So the upshot is a whole lot less money is going to be available.
So do you have any suggestions on how to compromise with reality
other than just ranting Abbott Abbott Abbott !
Sooner or later the Labour Party will have to face reality and drop
the "There is no problem" position and face how the much smaller cake
is to be cut.

Statements like this get us knowhere;
"Why don't they tax the top end of town instead of hitting the small fish all the time. "

All they do is turn it into a political argument.

Bazz. We have the worst PM in history, that does not bear well with any suggestion of rational thinking.

To try and rectify something by having arguments within party ranks and overruling members over something that was not even thought through, is just not on. No matter how much you worship Abbott his idea of govt; without consultation within his own ranks is just a joke. Why have commentators, media, and world leaders, all had serious shots at abbott.

Maybe you could inform of what is in front of us as you say.
If we can manage it properly, isn’t that what all the criticism is about. Our fearless leader can not manage it properly.

There needs to be a whole govt; approach rather than Abbott saying he knows best, and then withdrawing his best solutions. Abbott has followed Newman in QLD with lies , backflipps and indecision. How can anyone respect such a foolhardy approach to governing a nation.

Government must be seen for what it is, unfunctional, chaotic, and a one man parliament, this is not democratic. This is one man trying to push his own agenda, and not caring how he goes about it

579;
and then withdrawing his best solutions.

That should be addressed to the opposition,
Frankly, you passed the Turing test so there is no point in discussing
anything with you.
dit dit

Dear Nathan,

<<I don't want chemists deciding what amounts of medication I take, as it's open to abuse - or deciding by myself.>>

If/when you prefer to see a conventional doctor and have only them set the dosage of your medication, then you should be able to continue doing so, I never suggested otherwise.

<<A woman one day asked me what medication I was on (on public transport) - and asked if she could buy some. I said no.>>

Which was absolutely your right. However, you should also be able to say 'Yes' if you so choose, so long as your medication was not subsidised by the tax-payer.

<<We should keep medication levels and access (DRUGS) out of the hands of the public (like me) and have the decisions made by qualified people who know what they are doing>>

It is one thing to say that something is a good idea (i.e. that patients consult qualified people) and another to force it on others, which nobody has a moral right to do. Of course there is nothing wrong if you and the state/government reach a voluntary agreement whereby they will prevent you in the future from accessing medication without "qualified" prescription - but you have no right to enforce the same on others.

There is another problem with your suggestion: who is to decide who is qualified and who isn't? There are for example highly qualified doctors overseas and there are practitioners of natural medicine who also studied medicine, but are banned from practising it out of hatred and revenge by the AMA.

579, your scoop about Abbott was correct. It has been widely reported that there has indeed been one most unhealthy stouch between Tony Baloney and Cocky Joe Hockey over changes to the health system. Did Fony Tony shirt front Cocky Joe? Did Cocky Joe tell Fony Tony to blow it out his bleep bleep? Was there blood on the floor? Was someone left battered and bruised and in desperate need of a $20 Doctors visit with a $7 tax to boot? Those answers and more, we'll never know! Rest assured this aligning government is terminal and in need of a lot more than a little TLC and a Medicare co-payment.

Paul Blood pledges, blood in the water, blood on hockey’s office floor. This man needs tipping overboard. Blood is needed to sustain life, and not to be splattered all over the place.

We've known for some time that the Good Ship Abbott was in trouble, and with MPs now seemingly jostling for position could it be a case of man and lady in distress.

The core problem with the budget is the design, and responsibility for design faults ultimately lands at the feet of the Prime Minister ... Abbott used his authority to take charge of the Government's first budget, yet he seems to be using his political skills to sidestep responsibility, leaving ownership of the document with Hockey.

Hockey has been the perfect 2nd in charge treasurer, fool him for going along with Abbott’s bully tactics.

Hailed as his biggest achievement for women, the demolition of the carbon tax. How far out can he get.

Who will be the successor Turnbull, hockey, or the one with the evil eyes.

I heard Hockey yesterday claiming that he took one of his kids to a public hospital recently and it cost him nothing so he thinks its a crime that rich people like him can get public health care for sweet bugger all.
Well Mr Hockey why didn't you go to a private hospital?
Why did a very wealthy man like Hockey take his kid to a public hospital when I assume that he has full private health cover?

Yuyutsu,

Having well balanced regulation in regards to health, is vital.

If we send a message that people feel they have a "right" (in all areas of health) in terms of limited or no government involvement re policy, what we, as a society are doing is literally "forcing" people into something they may not want, something not predicted, a corner they may have thought they would end up in - or something they did not expect.

This is why we have (health related regulations at present), which in general I support - because we have to think of the health of wider community, not just one person's own philosophy.

We need to consider the impacts that flow from a decision made by all individuals.

As soon as someone is badly hurt, left injured, is brain damaged, or left in a wheelchair or dies - the (real) impacts (based on law) - are serious. A coroners inquest will likely be undertaken, and as people are very emotional they WILL, very likely - take a doctor or specialist to court - including those involved with alternative therapies.

This then potentially denies other people in the community, (through government law put in place) access to all types of medical options, including alternative and herbal therapies - like I have said I use - plus the ones I also use, that are medicine based, re two serious health conditions I have.

Humans, simply can't be selfish, they should take medical advice seriously - and people need to realise that you don't need to poke yourself in the eye to know that it hurts - but too many do.

Treasurer Joe Hockey claims Medicare reforms are necessary so the system can provide for those children already born who have a life expectancy of 150 years.

Alaskan Sarah Palin reputedly could see Russia from her house but that's nothing to Joe Hockey's telescopic vision which allows him to see a staggering 150 years into the future.

Luckily for the government, he is no Sarah Palin. But cabinet leaks, and backflips on barnacles suggest 2015 is off to a shaky start.

I believe that Hockey and Abbott are extremely self centred and have little concern for the welfare of ordinary Australians.

Hence the attempts at dismantling media-care, deregulating uni fees.

Dear Nathan,

<<If we send a message that people feel they have a "right" (in all areas of health)>>

But who asked "we" to send any message at all?

Just let people live their life the way they want without interfering - especially those who do not want and never agreed to belong to that "we". The "we" do not need to grant anybody "rights" - just don't take people's freedom away - Otherwise, this is a selfish and violent action by "we" against "them".

<<As soon as someone is badly hurt, left injured, is brain damaged, or left in a wheelchair or dies - the (real) impacts (based on law) - are serious.>>

That's why people should be able to opt out of the system well before anything like that happens. They can put in writing and sign, in front of a JP if necessary, that they have no expectations whatsoever of the system and wish to be left alone by it.

<<Humans, simply can't be selfish, they should take medical advice seriously>>

It's OK to have your opinion, which what the above is, but it is not OK to force it on others.

All very well but when a govt; governs it is supposed to be in our best interest and for everyone. That is why collectively we all have the same rules to abide by.

Why does the coalition have so much dislike for medicare, if the system needs more money it must up the medicare levy.

An account has already been established in the futures fund for savings from medicare. By 2020 it is supposed to grow to 20 billion $, for scientific research. Why rob one system to pay for another. It needs new money.

That is the reason for Abbott's pig headed shoot from the hip politics.

He has made an idiot of himself setting up an account, then finding there is no money to go in, you could say the B/S about medicare needing more money which we don't have is incorrect. He wants the savings for his med science futures fund.

At present there is 104 billion in a general infrastructure futures fund.

If this man ever tells the public the truth he will not be believed.

Tony Abbott has responded to a talkback radio caller who said the Prime Minister was "on the nose with Liberal voters" and "world's worst salesman.

The Prime Minister holds the loudest hailer in the land. When he speaks, the media and public will always listen. As long as trust remains.

Yuyutsu,

Reality in terms of health policy is vital in 2015. This requires looking into the basic elements of health and its provision to the public. The assessment element is vital.

It is an element of two way respect and this goes back to and comes from the original elements of medicine and health.

Early Egyptians had developed an advanced system of medicine and this influenced medical traditions from that time which flow on to today. The Egyptians and Babylonians introduced the concepts of diagnosis, prognosis, and medical examination - and Greece went even further, developing the principle of medical ethics.

This was a huge advancement in terms of health policy.

So on that basis, that is why when a person today sees a doctor, nurse or specialist, they are doing so in that format - and health in principle, is not simply a "product" that one should simply accept or reject. A two way relationship based on the principle of health and ethics is important - where people can choose or refuse certain elements of health, but with quality information provided to the patient.

Many specialists however are now having to reconsider how they operate, (based on law) and potentially face being taken to court. If say someone was to refuse advice - and that person is left in a poor state, legal action is possible. After all we are not living in ancient Egypt or Greece. The elements of law (in 2015) are putting excessive pressure on the ability to keep high standards in regards to health and there are numerous reports (based on quality research) to support this.

As a person who has two medical conditions, in principle appreciation of early health elements and principles that were developed are vital if we are to advance in health policy - not go backwards and simply put money into the bank accounts of lawyers.

579. You ask "Why does the coalition have so much dislike for medicare?"
I think you know the answer to that. It is their philosophical zeal to destroy all things "public" that drives them, high on the list for destruction is public education, public transport, public housing and so on, eventually to embrace all things public including public health. Do not forget Medicare was introduced by the most hated one Gough Whitlam, popular as it was, and still is with the general public, there is that hated word again, public, it would be a real feather in the cap for an ultra conservative like Abbott if he was to be the one to bring about its ultimate final demise.
Abbott has more fish to fry, in the form of a massive hike in the GST, initially hiking it to 15% on everything including food, and from there the sky's the limit. Thus shifting the tax burden more and more onto the general public. The Coalition are about to attack workers rights, with the aim of destroying pay and conditions, we could see all penalty rates abolished, and a minimum wage of less than $10/hour. Only god knows what they intend to do with holidays and sick pay etc.
What Abbott desires for Australia is a over worked, under paid, uneducated, taxed to the hilt, unhealthy society! And that's just for starters

Does Abbott have a strategy, what happened to his policy book. 50 pages of b/s. Interestingly the book does not allow you to copy, print only in an obscure way.

Chapter 12 says. ‘ Delivering more jobs, higher wages and higher living standards’

Chapter 16 says. ‘Delivering better health services’ The word delivering is very prominent part of the book.

So what happened, as soon as the election was over everything changed. Abbott’s strategy took control of his body and soul.
No body as yet knows the extent of Abbott’s strategy, it evolves at will like a reoccurring nightmare, without the blessings from his own party.

Make all the excuses you like the fact is we were fed B/S and it is not what we went to the polls with.

We were railroaded by a politician without scruples, or conscience,
Why does our system allow this to happen. A politician can promise anything in the interests of getting elected, once elected it goes out the window.

It is happening right now in QLD, as it did in the last election they had