Reports today that the Howard Government will offer doctors an incentive to bulk bill pensioners and low-income earners show that the Howard Government is no longer committed, if it ever was, to maintaining Medicare as a universal health system for all Australians. In proposing incentives for pensioners and low-income earners, but not for other Australians, John Howard is turning his back on the majority of Australians who pay for Medicare through the Medicare levy and through their taxes - and who will receive nothing under this proposal. Make no mistake about it. The Government's proposal to reward GPs for bulk billing pensioners and concession cardholders is means testing - but by the backdoor. The ultimate outcome is that Medicare will become a second-class safety net only for low-income Australians, and everyone else's health care will depend on how much money they have in their pocket. Increased electronic claiming facilities in doctor surgeries will do nothing to improve the rate of bulk billing. To the contrary, it will make it easier for doctors to charge their patients higher co-payments. Under the Government's plan, a person's Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card will become more important than their Medicare card. Unless Australians have a Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card, they'll be paying for their health with a Credit Card. Those people who do not qualify for bulk billing under the Government's plan will be forced to pay even more for their own health care costs. By providing incentives for doctors to bulk bill pensioners and the poor, the Government is effectively telling doctors not to bulk bill anyone else. The average family with two sick kids will still be faced with the invidious decision whether they can afford $75 to $80 to take their two children to the doctor. Bulk billing is an essential part of Medicare and it is vital to ensure good quality health care for all Australians - not just pensioners and concession cardholders. Source ALP Media Release ###