Tasmanian doctors vow to resist Federal Government's GP co-payment policy
Tasmanian doctors have told a meeting in Hobart they feel under siege by the Federal Government's attempts to introduce a GP visit co-payment.
National Medical Association representatives at the forum are vowing to take their messages back to Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley.
Associate Professor Tim Greenaway from the Australian Medical Association said Tasmanian GPs had become unlikely political activists.
"This issue has mobilised doctors, this is a direct attack on primary care," he said.
In December, the Federal Government backed away from charging patients an extra $7 GP fee and then last month dumped plans to cut the Medicare rebate for short GP visits by $20.
But the Government still plans to introduce a $5 rebate cut for most visits to the doctor from July.
General practitioner Graeme Bleach said that would put further pressure on bulk billing.
"I think as GPs we should be explaining to our patients what we provide and what GPs in Australia provide for them and what the politicians are trying to do to their health care system," he said.
"It will hit Tasmania harder than some other places," he said.
AMA vice-president Stephen Pernis said after two Federal Government backdowns on previous co-payment proposals, the AMA was lobbying for a third.
"It doesn't take much economic sense to realise investing in general practice saves a fortune at the hospital end of care," he said.
"We assume there is no fait accompli and we will continue to contest those issues."
Doctors flag industrial action over delayed pay rise
Tasmanian doctors also warned the State Government of industrial action if a long-awaited pay rise was not implemented.
Professor Greenaway said the Industrial Commission approved the 6.5 to 8 per cent increase late last month after a three-year pay freeze.
"We think the Government would be extremely unwise to challenge or appeal the commission's decision," he said.
But Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman was not making promises.
"I won't pre-empt what may or may not happen other than to say at the moment were taking advice from relevant agencies and expect we will have that in due course," he said.
The AMA argued the new award would ensure Tasmania could attract and retain doctors at all levels.
