Professor Owler said the axing of the bulk billing incentives for pathology and diagnostic imaging services will increase the health cost burden for Australian families, with the poorest and the sickest being hit the hardest.

These measures are simply resurrecting a part of the Government’s original ill-fated co-payment proposal from the 2014 Budget,” Professor Owler said.

It is yet another co-payment by stealth.

Cutting Medicare patient rebates for important pathology and imaging services is another example of putting the Budget bottom line ahead of good health policy.

These services are critical to early diagnosis and management of health conditions to allow people to remain productive in their jobs for the good of the economy.

The AMA strongly opposes these measures, and we will be encouraging the Senate to disallow them.

……..

The Government is repeatedly cutting away at the Health budget despite there being no evidence of a health funding crisis.

Full press release, external link AMA Press Release

Sonic Healthcare, a global pathology and radiology giant, said that it has no intention of absorbing the cuts and will charge payments and reduce services in rural and regional areas to protect its business (SMH 17/12/2015). Other major health services suppliers have also indicated they will introduce a co payment.

Additional comment Cuts to Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging