It's no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise, but a recent bombshell dropped by Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Stephen Robson has really taken the cake.

In a recent speech to the National Press Club, Dr Robson revealed that Australians had lost a staggering $8 billion in medical rebates, as Medicare has remained frozen at levels untouched since before the turn of the century.

With many rebates still pegged to prices paid during the Hawke era, Dr Robson noted, 'Almost 40 years ago, the rebates offered to Australians reflected the cost of providing services.'

'Well, times have changed, and the Medicare rebates never kept up with inflation—the pathology sector has not seen rebates rise since 1999.'

A top medico says Australians have lost out big time at the doctor's office, with many Medicare rebates unchanged for decades. Credit: Shutterstock.

This lack of adjustment for inflation is putting enormous pressure on patients and medical practices, as healthcare costs continue to increase while Aussies battle more chronic conditions than ever before.

Dr Robson lamented the underfunding of patients by more than $8.6 billion in rebates, specifically pertaining to money back on GP consultation fees.

His speech called on the government to rethink its relationship with health investment, urging policymakers to view it not merely as a 'spending portfolio' but as a 'productivity portfolio'. He cited evidence supporting the notion that health investment led to better overall economic outcomes.

Dr Robson praised the government's recent implementation of tighter controls on vapes, stating that it would have a positive long-term economic impact.

He also argued for the introduction of a sugar tax as a 'win, win, win' for the government, claiming that it would raise revenue, save lives, and ultimately save healthcare dollars.

'Modelling suggests that a tax on sugary drinks would result in 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. That would generate $800 million in revenue for the government over forward estimates,' he explained.

Dr Robson's broader goal is to shift Australia from a 'sick care system' to a true healthcare system. He touched on numerous health factors impacting our nation, including the effects of an ageing population and the lagging private health insurance uptake.

Along with the rise in chronic illnesses, Australia now faces slipping health rankings and an increasingly strained health system that's at risk of buckling under pressure.

'As public hospitals struggle with an unprecedented backlog, many Australians have begun to take out private health insurance again,' he said.

'It's fool's gold because as cost of living pressures bit harder, you can be sure the struggle to get people into private health insurance will return.'

More worryingly, Dr Robson warned that the fallout from the COVID pandemic is far from over. In 2022 alone, 20,000 more Australians died than what would have been expected in a non-pandemic year.

Key Takeaways

• Australians have lost over $8bn in medical rebates as Medicare remains frozen at pre-2000 levels, according to AMA president Stephen Robson.
• Dr Robson called on the Labor government to rethink its relationship with health investment, considering health as a 'productivity portfolio' rather than just a 'spending portfolio'.
• The AMA president has applauded the government for introducing tighter controls on vapes and is now taking on sugary drinks, suggesting a sugar tax could help raise revenue, save lives, and reduce healthcare costs.
• Dr Robson warned that the consequences of the COVID pandemic are far from over and that the already strained health system may struggle under further pressure, evidenced by 20,000 more deaths in Australia in 2022 than expected without the pandemic.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the topic at hand. Have any of you encountered challenges or frustrations while seeking reimbursement for medical expenses through Medicare? If you have, we kindly invite you to share your experiences with us in the comments section below; we look forward to reading them!

 

[Luckyus]

It's no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise, but a recent bombshell dropped by Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Stephen Robson has really taken the cake.

In a recent speech to the National Press Club, Dr Robson revealed that Australians had lost a staggering $8 billion in medical rebates, as Medicare has remained frozen at levels untouched since before the turn of the century.

With many rebates still pegged to prices paid during the Hawke era, Dr Robson noted, 'Almost 40 years ago, the rebates offered to Australians reflected the cost of providing services.'

'Well, times have changed, and the Medicare rebates never kept up with inflation—the pathology sector has not seen rebates rise since 1999.'

View attachment 22392

A top medico says Australians have lost out big time at the doctor's office, with many Medicare rebates unchanged for decades. Credit: Shutterstock.

This lack of adjustment for inflation is putting enormous pressure on patients and medical practices, as healthcare costs continue to increase while Aussies battle more chronic conditions than ever before.

Dr Robson lamented the underfunding of patients by more than $8.6 billion in rebates, specifically pertaining to money back on GP consultation fees.

His speech called on the government to rethink its relationship with health investment, urging policymakers to view it not merely as a 'spending portfolio' but as a 'productivity portfolio'. He cited evidence supporting the notion that health investment led to better overall economic outcomes.

Dr Robson praised the government's recent implementation of tighter controls on vapes, stating that it would have a positive long-term economic impact.

He also argued for the introduction of a sugar tax as a 'win, win, win' for the government, claiming that it would raise revenue, save lives, and ultimately save healthcare dollars.

'Modelling suggests that a tax on sugary drinks would result in 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. That would generate $800 million in revenue for the government over forward estimates,' he explained.

Dr Robson's broader goal is to shift Australia from a 'sick care system' to a true healthcare system. He touched on numerous health factors impacting our nation, including the effects of an ageing population and the lagging private health insurance uptake.

Along with the rise in chronic illnesses, Australia now faces slipping health rankings and an increasingly strained health system that's at risk of buckling under pressure.

'As public hospitals struggle with an unprecedented backlog, many Australians have begun to take out private health insurance again,' he said.

'It's fool's gold because as cost of living pressures bit harder, you can be sure the struggle to get people into private health insurance will return.'

More worryingly, Dr Robson warned that the fallout from the COVID pandemic is far from over. In 2022 alone, 20,000 more Australians died than what would have been expected in a non-pandemic year.

Key Takeaways

• Australians have lost over $8bn in medical rebates as Medicare remains frozen at pre-2000 levels, according to AMA president Stephen Robson.
• Dr Robson called on the Labor government to rethink its relationship with health investment, considering health as a 'productivity portfolio' rather than just a 'spending portfolio'.
• The AMA president has applauded the government for introducing tighter controls on vapes and is now taking on sugary drinks, suggesting a sugar tax could help raise revenue, save lives, and reduce healthcare costs.
• Dr Robson warned that the consequences of the COVID pandemic are far from over and that the already strained health system may struggle under further pressure, evidenced by 20,000 more deaths in Australia in 2022 than expected without the pandemic.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the topic at hand. Have any of you encountered challenges or frustrations while seeking reimbursement for medical expenses through Medicare? If you have, we kindly invite you to share your experiences with us in the comments section below; we look forward to reading them!

When I had my first cancer the public hospital wouldn't allow the use of a theatre for the a full day, the surgeons offered to operate at night but this was knocked back. So I had to go private which I was only covered for hospital. The public hospital decision ended up costing me a fortune most of which was unrecoverable through Medicare, I'm only glad I had the funds for the operation.

 

[Pink lion]

$800.000,000.00 revenue not being collected?

I broke my ankle a couple of months back and due to being a half an hour's drive out of town I just put vegemite on it and have been eating Comphrey (also known as Knit Bone) pancakes.

don't get me wrong it is fixing it and pushing through the shoulder injury by doing exercises is gradually working, as it no longer makes me grunt at night or wake me up.

I just believe that as I am not the only older Australian that puts up with issues like this, and has found the need to resolve injuries ourselves, due to no bulk billing, that things could be better.

 

[TessM]

This is terrible. Thos3 of us struggling struggling struggling on a pension or low income deserve better. Shows the government doesn't care about our health. I've had many specialist bills in the past 6 months, and on an Aged pension, it's left me borrowing money, going without or going to Foodbank

It's no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise, but a recent bombshell dropped by Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Stephen Robson has really taken the cake.

In a recent speech to the National Press Club, Dr Robson revealed that Australians had lost a staggering $8 billion in medical rebates, as Medicare has remained frozen at levels untouched since before the turn of the century.

With many rebates still pegged to prices paid during the Hawke era, Dr Robson noted, 'Almost 40 years ago, the rebates offered to Australians reflected the cost of providing services.'

'Well, times have changed, and the Medicare rebates never kept up with inflation—the pathology sector has not seen rebates rise since 1999.'

View attachment 22392

A top medico says Australians have lost out big time at the doctor's office, with many Medicare rebates unchanged for decades. Credit: Shutterstock.

This lack of adjustment for inflation is putting enormous pressure on patients and medical practices, as healthcare costs continue to increase while Aussies battle more chronic conditions than ever before.

Dr Robson lamented the underfunding of patients by more than $8.6 billion in rebates, specifically pertaining to money back on GP consultation fees.

His speech called on the government to rethink its relationship with health investment, urging policymakers to view it not merely as a 'spending portfolio' but as a 'productivity portfolio'. He cited evidence supporting the notion that health investment led to better overall economic outcomes.

Dr Robson praised the government's recent implementation of tighter controls on vapes, stating that it would have a positive long-term economic impact.

He also argued for the introduction of a sugar tax as a 'win, win, win' for the government, claiming that it would raise revenue, save lives, and ultimately save healthcare dollars.

'Modelling suggests that a tax on sugary drinks would result in 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. That would generate $800 million in revenue for the government over forward estimates,' he explained.

Dr Robson's broader goal is to shift Australia from a 'sick care system' to a true healthcare system. He touched on numerous health factors impacting our nation, including the effects of an ageing population and the lagging private health insurance uptake.

Along with the rise in chronic illnesses, Australia now faces slipping health rankings and an increasingly strained health system that's at risk of buckling under pressure.

'As public hospitals struggle with an unprecedented backlog, many Australians have begun to take out private health insurance again,' he said.

'It's fool's gold because as cost of living pressures bit harder, you can be sure the struggle to get people into private health insurance will return.'

More worryingly, Dr Robson warned that the fallout from the COVID pandemic is far from over. In 2022 alone, 20,000 more Australians died than what would have been expected in a non-pandemic year.

Key Takeaways

• Australians have lost over $8bn in medical rebates as Medicare remains frozen at pre-2000 levels, according to AMA president Stephen Robson.
• Dr Robson called on the Labor government to rethink its relationship with health investment, considering health as a 'productivity portfolio' rather than just a 'spending portfolio'.
• The AMA president has applauded the government for introducing tighter controls on vapes and is now taking on sugary drinks, suggesting a sugar tax could help raise revenue, save lives, and reduce healthcare costs.
• Dr Robson warned that the consequences of the COVID pandemic are far from over and that the already strained health system may struggle under further pressure, evidenced by 20,000 more deaths in Australia in 2022 than expected without the pandemic.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the topic at hand. Have any of you encountered challenges or frustrations while seeking reimbursement for medical expenses through Medicare? If you have, we kindly invite you to share your experiences with us in the comments section below; we look forward to reading them!

 

[Macarj]

Government wages go up automatically why couldn't the medicare rebate go up with the rise in CPI if the idiots in Canberra can't keep pace with it

 

[Lynjw]

It's no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise, but a recent bombshell dropped by Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Stephen Robson has really taken the cake.

In a recent speech to the National Press Club, Dr Robson revealed that Australians had lost a staggering $8 billion in medical rebates, as Medicare has remained frozen at levels untouched since before the turn of the century.

With many rebates still pegged to prices paid during the Hawke era, Dr Robson noted, 'Almost 40 years ago, the rebates offered to Australians reflected the cost of providing services.'

'Well, times have changed, and the Medicare rebates never kept up with inflation—the pathology sector has not seen rebates rise since 1999.'

View attachment 22392

A top medico says Australians have lost out big time at the doctor's office, with many Medicare rebates unchanged for decades. Credit: Shutterstock.

This lack of adjustment for inflation is putting enormous pressure on patients and medical practices, as healthcare costs continue to increase while Aussies battle more chronic conditions than ever before.

Dr Robson lamented the underfunding of patients by more than $8.6 billion in rebates, specifically pertaining to money back on GP consultation fees.

His speech called on the government to rethink its relationship with health investment, urging policymakers to view it not merely as a 'spending portfolio' but as a 'productivity portfolio'. He cited evidence supporting the notion that health investment led to better overall economic outcomes.

Dr Robson praised the government's recent implementation of tighter controls on vapes, stating that it would have a positive long-term economic impact.

He also argued for the introduction of a sugar tax as a 'win, win, win' for the government, claiming that it would raise revenue, save lives, and ultimately save healthcare dollars.

'Modelling suggests that a tax on sugary drinks would result in 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. That would generate $800 million in revenue for the government over forward estimates,' he explained.

Dr Robson's broader goal is to shift Australia from a 'sick care system' to a true healthcare system. He touched on numerous health factors impacting our nation, including the effects of an ageing population and the lagging private health insurance uptake.

Along with the rise in chronic illnesses, Australia now faces slipping health rankings and an increasingly strained health system that's at risk of buckling under pressure.

'As public hospitals struggle with an unprecedented backlog, many Australians have begun to take out private health insurance again,' he said.

'It's fool's gold because as cost of living pressures bit harder, you can be sure the struggle to get people into private health insurance will return.'

More worryingly, Dr Robson warned that the fallout from the COVID pandemic is far from over. In 2022 alone, 20,000 more Australians died than what would have been expected in a non-pandemic year.

Key Takeaways

• Australians have lost over $8bn in medical rebates as Medicare remains frozen at pre-2000 levels, according to AMA president Stephen Robson.
• Dr Robson called on the Labor government to rethink its relationship with health investment, considering health as a 'productivity portfolio' rather than just a 'spending portfolio'.
• The AMA president has applauded the government for introducing tighter controls on vapes and is now taking on sugary drinks, suggesting a sugar tax could help raise revenue, save lives, and reduce healthcare costs.
• Dr Robson warned that the consequences of the COVID pandemic are far from over and that the already strained health system may struggle under further pressure, evidenced by 20,000 more deaths in Australia in 2022 than expected without the pandemic.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the topic at hand. Have any of you encountered challenges or frustrations while seeking reimbursement for medical expenses through Medicare? If you have, we kindly invite you to share your experiences with us in the comments section below; we look forward to reading them!

I work at.a GP Practice and Medicare rebates have increased but v minimally. Local radiology practices have stopped doing no gap ultrasounds for pensioners. I’m seeing a shoulder specialist next week and have been told that out if a $300 fee I will only get a $78 rebate. Pretty poor for all the tax I pay. Their fees go up rebates are poor and our earners are stagnant.