NSW: Doctors reject Wooldridge funding proposal report

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-1999
NSW: Doctors reject Wooldridge funding proposal report

Doctors are reportedly demanding fee increases of up to $4,000 a year.

The Weekend Australian says doctors have rejected the federal government's three-year $7.7
billion general practice funding deal.

The paper quotes Australian Medical Association national president DAVID BRAND saying the
current offer of about 3.2 per cent a year more is inadequate.

But the paper says the government wants to lock away an agreement by the May 12 Budget, and
to control growth in the $2.3 billion annual federal expenditure on general practice visits.

Dr BRAND says the government offer ignores:

* the failure of fees to keep pace with inflation,

* real growth in general practice costs,

* the threat of an influx of newly trained doctors and

* the inability of doctors to control growth in demand for services.

He says general practice groups have told Health Minister MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE they reject
the offer, and demanded rebate increases of up to eight per cent a year over three years.

AAP RTV cdh/nd/lm/rt

KEYWORD: DOCTORS (SYDNEY)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.