LOCAL doctors have welcomed the axing of controversial plans to slash the Medicare rebate.
The changes were due to come into effect as of Monday, and would have seen the rebate for consultations that lasted less than 10 minutes reduced by $20.10 from $37.05 to $16.95.
The Australian Medical Association said that some patients who had previously saw their GP for free, would maybe have had to pay.
However, the Federal Government has now backtracked, with Health Minister Susan Ley saying she is deeply concerned by misinformation that is causing confusion for patients and confusion for doctors about the changes.
“As a result, I’m announcing today that the changes to level A and B Medicare consultation items will not commence on Monday as planned,” she said yesterday.
“The government is taking them off the table.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (January 16).
