Medicare ahead by a mile in popularity stakes

[Violet_Crumble]

If a popularity contest was staged for Australian government programs Medicare would walk into the final.

When an Essential poll asked voters in 2011 what they thought about eight of the biggest federal government policy decisions of the modern era, Medicare received overwhelming support. Almost eight in 10 said Medicare was good or very good. Just one in 17 thought it was bad or very bad. Approval of Medicare was far higher than either floating the Australian dollar (46 per cent said good) or free trade agreements (41 per cent said good).

Even so, Joe Hockey’s first budget is set to make a landmark change to Medicare by introducing a co-payment for GP consultations.

“There is no such thing as a free visit to a doctor,” the Treasurer says.

But trends in public opinion suggests the Abbott government has set itself a tough assignment convincing voters to embrace changes to Medicare.

The public’s allegiance to Medicare is at odds with its contentious beginnings. Australia’s first universal health care scheme – the Whitlam government’s Medibank – was introduced after a protracted and bitter political battle. The law to create it was rejected repeatedly in the Senate and it required a double-dissolution election in 1974 and the first-ever joint sitting of parliament for it to pass. That scheme only operated for about a year before the Fraser Coalition government began to dismantle it triggering a general strike in1976. By 1981, Medibank had been abolished and Australia reverted to a system of voluntary private insurance, subsidised by government. The Hawke Labor government then introduced Medicare in 1984.


Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/medicare-ahead-by-a-mile-in-popularity-stakes-20140510-zr8pm.html#ixzz31OuuVsxj

[itsrobert]

1. thanks for the article

medical coverage is a must for the entire world.

thanks

itsorbert

[Fairgo]

2. Need to hang on to Medicare with both hands

Its the right model. We can debate the mechanics of the thing, but anything else is on the slippery slope to predatory health care. Human rights should not be commodities...ever.

[Matilda]

3. Now that the Abbott Tea Party has announced co-payments (cute title) for GP visits,

we can only hope Labor and PUP will stick to their guns and refuse to pass it.

I fail to understand the mentality that believes that the most disadvantaged in society are entitled to no breaks, but we're seeing it large as life on the government benches.

[Violet_Crumble]

4. I know. I've heard American DUers talk about co-payments...

Great. So we're going to end up with a health care system just like they've got. I can't believe anyone, not even the most stupid conservative politician would see the US health system as anything to emulate...

fwiw, I suspect Clive Palmer will stick to his guns. I can't stand him, but over the past few days he's been coming out with some stuff that I heartily agree with...

[Matilda]

5. I don't know what Palmer will do,

and I doubt he does either. He's very erratic.

I worry that if Abbott gives him something he wants - such as funding for an office and staff - he will do a deal. Abbott says he won't negotiate with minor parties, and Palmer says he's committed to the stand he's taken on pensions - but can they be trusted? But I do think Palmer would relish a double dissolution, because he truly believes he could be the big powerbroker.

[Matilda]

6. Angry pensioner sticks it to Abbott

A 67-year-old pensioner angrily attached Abbott on ABC radio this morning because of the Medicare co-payments.

What is disgusting is the way Abbott smirked and winked when she told him she had to work an adult sex-line job to make ends meet.

The man is infantile and completely lacking in any sense of empathy towards the less fortunate. Gloria was right: "You don't give a stuff, do you?"

No, Gloria, he really doesn't.